Marco Settembri, Nestlé’s CEO for Zone EMENA: “I am very happy to see that we have altogether delivered on our pledge to offer jobs and training opportunities to about 150,000 young people in the last two years. We will continue to step up efforts to strengthen business-education collaboration and invest in young people’s future.”

Recently, the Alliance has also joined forces with JA Europe, Europe’s largest provider of education programmes for entrepreneurship, to help young people gaining entrepreneurial skills. Under the impulse of Ernst & Young (EY) co-developing the programme, the ambition of this unique collaboration is to support 500 school and vocational students in obtaining the Entrepreneurial Skills Pass.

This announcement comes during the European Vocational Skills that is taking place from 5 to 9 November. As for the two previous editions, Nestlé and the ‘Alliance for YOUth’ are strongly supporting the initiative by organising more than 40 local events and activities to highlight the benefits of apprenticeships and work-based learning.

Source: https://brandspurng.com/nestle-and-alliance-for-youth-offer-150000-young-people-in-europe-jobs-and-training/

According to the CEO/Principal of the School, developing leaders is one of the Founder’s vision and has since been put into consideration in order to produce future leaders in character and in learning. “Fulfilling the founder’s vision, developing leaders is what motivates all staff and students at Olashore International School and this passion is rewarded when we see the success of students who have progressed to universities within Nigeria and abroad.

“We have seen our students graduate with First Class degrees from Universities across the globe. For instance, In 2017, amongst our First Class graduates were Peace Eze Class of 2012, from the University of Louisiana, Oluwatunmike Olowe (Class of 2013) from Redeemers University in Nigeria, amongst others. For this consistent top-level academic performance by Olashore graduates, I was pleased to receive the 2018 Africa Outstanding School CEO Award”.

“One key focus for us as a school is that our students can go anywhere around the world and do well thus representing the school well. What we are doing is not just passing exams but all round success. After 25 years, we are looking for people who have passed through the school and yet become outstanding in their chosen career. For instance, amongst lots of our Alumni that are doing well are Mr Obinna Okwodu who bagged the award of the Most Promising Entrepreneur by Forbes, Mr Bode Olanipekun who is the Nigerian’s Youngest SAN, amongst others. Our First Head Girl, went to the University in 1999 and graduated with good grades, today she is the First Female Operations Manager for Nestle Nigeria Plc. We pride ourselves in all-round success, beyond the classroom. The Speech and Prize Giving Day ceremony coming up next week will also provide an opportunity to see how well our students are doing and appreciate them. Our goal in school is to ensure that our students make their International exams. We set International standards. We are proud that we have been achieving success for the past 25 years,” he explained.

Similarly, the Chairman Board of Trustees, Prince Abimbola Olashore stated that the school was borne out of necessity to give children the best education, and he is glad that academic excellence and all-round success beyond the classroom has been the Olashore story for the past 25years. He pointed out that in the phase of recession in 2016, the school was able to survive due to certain factors put in place. “We are always prepared to meet the needs of students and meet the expectations of parents, and this the reason in the phase of recession, we demonstrated value for money, we were mindful of what stakeholders were going through in order to adjust, we absorbed certain cost structure rather than passed down to students’ fees, invested significantly in our environment, retained the confidence of parents, intensified marketing abroad and expanded the scope of scholarship for existing parents in order to make the school fees affordable. These helped us scale through the recession successfully. Here we are celebrating the school’s 25th Anniversary in spite of the ups and downs.”

He further explained “what a child will become in life is determined by the character of how he or she exudes between the ages of 10 and 16. So if things are done right and the right values impacted in the child, it is most likely that the child will do well in life because these core values will help them as they go through life. This is the reason we lay claim to the success of alumni whenever they succeed anywhere around the world”.

Olashore International School has a mission to get committed to academic excellence, nurture each child to their full potentials in a safe and serene environment, develop leaders for the dynamic global society in the 21st century, which they have all portrayed in the past 25years.

The School has unveiled a series of upcoming events to celebrate its 25th Anniversary to include Speech &Prize Giving Day, Anniversary School Play, Founders Day, Alumni Events, Anniversary Lecture, Book Launch and Valedictory service.

Source: https://brandspurng.com/olashore-international-school-unveils-25th-anniversary-logo/

The FAO Food Price Index, a measure of the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities, averaged 163.5 points in October, down 0.9 percent from September and 7.4 percent below its level a year earlier.

The FAO Dairy Price Index led the overall decline, slipping 4.8 percent from the previous month and 34 percent below the peak reached in February 2014. The weaker prices reflect increased export supplies across all major dairy products, especially from New Zealand.

The FAO Meat Price Index declined 2.0 percent from September, with ovine, pig, bovine and poultry meat all posting drops due mostly to abundant export supplies.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index fell by 1.5 percent, its ninth consecutive monthly drop, to reach its lowest level since April 2009. The latest slide was mostly driven by sluggish global import demand for palm oil and large inventories held by the commodity’s major exporting countries. International soy oil prices increased slightly.

The FAO Cereal Price Index rebounded, rising 1.3 percent from September, mostly due to firmer maize quotations from the United States of America. Rice prices, by contrast, fell, partly influenced by currency movements weighing on Japonica and fragrant varieties.

The FAO Sugar Price Index surged 8.7 percent, mostly as a result of negative climate-related production prospects in India and Indonesia as well as indications of an increasing share of Brazil’s sugarcane output being used to produce ethanol.

World cereal output forecasts raised

FAO has also raised its forecast for global cereal production in 2018 to 2 601 million tonnes, primarily due to higher estimates for wheat production in Canada and China. Nonetheless, the new forecast remains 2.1 percent below the record level achieved in 2017.

Global rice output this year is expected to surpass last year’s all-time high by 1.3 percent, reaching 513 million tonnes, according to FAO’s latest Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, also released today.

World wheat production in 2018 is now forecast at around 728 million tonnes, marking a 4.3 percent decline from the previous year. Winter wheat crops, to be harvested in 2019, are currently being sown in the Northern Hemisphere, while in the European Union, the United States and India generally remunerative prices are expected to stimulate an increase in plantings.

Worldwide output of coarse grains is forecast at 1 360 million tonnes, a 2.2 percent drop from 2017. Coarse grain crops are currently being planted in the Southern Hemisphere countries, and early prospects indicate an expansion in maize plantings in South America.

FAO expects world cereal utilization to rise by 0.2 percent to a record 2 653 million tonnes, spurred by higher feed and industrial uses of maize, especially in China and the United States. The use of wheat for food consumption is anticipated to rise by 1.0 percent, while that for rice to increase by 1.1 percent.

Worldwide cereal stocks at the close of seasons in 2019 are now forecast to reach almost 762 million tonnes, some 6.5 percent below their record-high opening level.

Total inventories of coarse grains are expected to fall for the first time in six years, while those of wheat is set to decrease by 4.5 percent, with drawdowns to be led by major exporters. World rice stocks, by contrast, are expected to rise by 2.6 percent to 176.6 million tonnes.

International trade in cereals is now forecast to decline 1.1 percent from the 2017/18 record level, with trade in both wheat and rice contracting. World trade in coarse grains is still forecast to remain close to the previous year’s record level, at around 195 million tonnes, with maize volumes increasing while those of sorghum declining.

Source: https://brandspurng.com/food-prices-dip-in-october/

Osinbajo unveiled the anniversary logo of the Grange School at the unveiling ceremony, which took place at the school’s premises in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday (30/10/18) in celebration of the institution’s diamond jubilee.

Ogunsanya congratulated Grange School for “bequeathing an enduring legacy on future leaders and contributing positively to the growth of the nation’s educational sector.”
Highlights of the event included a performance from the school choir, with a rendition from the primary and secondary musical band, as well as the grand unveiling of the 60th-anniversary logo by the vice president.

Osinbajo, who was the special guest of honour at the event, commended the school for providing quality education in the last 60 years.

He said there is a link between quality education and poverty reduction.

Osinbajo also spoke on the federal’s government’s agenda for inclusive education in Nigeria, as part of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Education erases poverty by almost 60 per cent in a community, increases earnings by 10 per cent and reduces a nation’s inequality. To eradicate poverty, we equip the young people with education; this is to develop the category of people ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century,” he said.

“We have a threefold plan; first is ensuring that we are able to attain all of the sustainable goals. Those standards include school enrolment, quality of education, adult literacy, quality of teaching, and we intend to meet all of those targets.”

The vice-president interacting with some students from the school, Guy Cassarchis, the school’s headmaster, while giving an address said Grange School understands the importance of quality education.

He said the students are taught to be role models and mentors capable of dealing with life’s challenges, especially after school.

He announced the planned launch of a football academy which will eventually be accessible by other talented children outside the school, opening up opportunities for them to be scouted by international football clubs that have partnered with Grange school.

Also speaking, Awuneba Ajumogobia, chairperson of the Grange’s governing council said, the school has become a reference point in primary and secondary education in Nigeria.

She said graduating students enjoyed first choice privileges from some of the most prestigious tertiary institutions globally.

Ajumogobia attributed the school’s impressive academic accomplishment to its dedicated teachers, intelligent students and adequate support of stakeholders.

The first in a series of events to mark the school’s 60th anniversary, the logo unveiling was well attended by captains of industries and important dignitaries

Source: https://brandspurng.com/osinbajo-ogunsanya-commend-grange-school-on-diamond-jubilee/

He was nominated in the category “Artiste to Watch” alongside LMD Akika, ShaggyBlaq, Bizakeem and Verse6ix.
St. Chika has been much in the spotlight this year for his 4hrs record-breaking song “Power in the Name of the Lord” and for reaching a milestone of 100,000 streams and 500,000 streams on Spotify and iTunes respectively.

Source: https://brandspurng.com/gospel-singer-st-chika-gets-artiste-to-watch-nomination-at-top-naija-music-awards-2018-see-full-list/

The official launch of the scheme was held at the prestigious Radisson Blu Hotel, Victoria Island on Wednesday, October 31st, 2018.
In attendance at the event were representatives of PayJoy, MTN, TD Mobile, Sterling Bank as well as Samsung – the first smartphone brand signed up for the scheme.
In her opening speech at the well-attended event, Managing Director, TD Mobile, Mrs Gozy Ijogun expressed her delight with the PayJoy offering and TD’s role as device suppliers, especially in view of the opportunity it presents in deepening smartphone penetration in the country.
“With TD’s agility, millions of Nigerians are assured of the constant availability of the devices at multiple locations and in every MTN store nationwide. We are delighted at this development as it will not only empower more Nigerians to own devices that were hitherto out of their reach but will also boost smartphone penetration in Nigeria.”
PayJoy’s General Manager for Africa, Dominique Friedl affirmed the revolutionary nature of the device financing scheme which relies heavily on technology in creating a seamless process for subscribers.
“PayJoy’s mobile locking technology and data science enable financial inclusion for billions worldwide. Our secure mobile locking technology and world-class data science enable people in emerging markets worldwide to qualify for smartphone financing and cash loans that would otherwise be unavailable.”
“You do not have to be a working-class Nigerian or salary earner to subscribe to this scheme or own that desired device. All you need to do is walk into the nearest MTN store,” he affirmed.
The scheme will be available in designated MTN stores in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt this week.
Interestingly, the PayJoy offer stands out from other device financing schemes due to the convenient, flexible and value-adding benefits it provides to subscribers, a point MTN Nigeria’s Senior Manager, Data and Devices, Abiodun Ajayi was quick to point out “There are loads of freebies and incentives to help interested customers derive more value. These include free 2GB data every month and access to a suite of MTN offerings such as MTN Pulse, MTN Music Plus and many others.”
On his part, Sterling Bank’s Group Head Strategy and Innovation, Shina Atilola who disclosed the organization’s crucial role in the scheme, encouraged Nigerians to sign up for the offer, notwithstanding their social status.
“As financial partners, Sterling Bank is committed to ensuring that the devices are readily available for your convenience. The scheme is open to all classes of Nigerians and you do not necessarily have to be a salary earner to qualify, so I encourage everyone to sign up for it. This is one of the surest and most convenient ways to own a high-end smartphone without burning a hole in your pocket.”

Source: https://brandspurng.com/mtn-partners-payjoy-td-mobile-sterling-bank-on-revolutionary-device-financing-scheme/

“Thousands of children are walking long distances, exposed to inclement weather, hunger, insecurity and the risk of violence,” said Gianfranco Rotigliano, UNICEF Representative in the DRC. “They have limited access to safe water and health care and are being deprived of education. We are very worried about their situation and that of their families.”

Making matters worse for returning children and families, the price of basic food staples has risen sharply in some areas, which could lead to an increase in cases of malnutrition among children.

The arrival of returnees in recent weeks has occurred mostly in the Province of Kasai, although some children and families have returned to neighbouring provinces, including Kasai Central and Kwango.

At the various border points with Angola, the national migration services are overwhelmed by the large number of people returning to the DRC, many of whom remain concentrated in small border towns. Authorities fear the resurgence of epidemics, given the close proximity in which the returned population currently lives.

UNICEF and its partners conducted an assessment of the humanitarian needs in Kamako, Kasai Province, where most of the returnees are located, and is preparing to support returning children and their families through:

Installation of safe drinking water and hand washing points, and emergency shelters in 27 settlement sites set up to welcome the population in Kasai;
Prevention of malaria through the distribution of 227,000 mosquito nets;
Management of severe acute malnutrition cases among children under five;
Preventive vaccination against measles in children from 6 to 59 months;
Establishment of learning spaces to accommodate school-aged children;
Identification and reunification of unaccompanied children.
To help returnee children and their families, UNICEF has appealed for US $3 million to fund its immediate response over the coming weeks. The additional US $6 million will be needed to support the resettlement of returned populations to their home or host areas.

Source: https://brandspurng.com/more-than-80000-children-returned-from-angola-to-dr-congo-in-urgent-need-of-humanitarian-assistance-unicef/

“Thousands of children are walking long distances, exposed to inclement weather, hunger, insecurity and the risk of violence,” said Gianfranco Rotigliano, UNICEF Representative in the DRC. “They have limited access to safe water and health care and are being deprived of education. We are very worried about their situation and that of their families.”

Making matters worse for returning children and families, the price of basic food staples has risen sharply in some areas, which could lead to an increase in cases of malnutrition among children.

The arrival of returnees in recent weeks has occurred mostly in the Province of Kasai, although some children and families have returned to neighbouring provinces, including Kasai Central and Kwango.

At the various border points with Angola, the national migration services are overwhelmed by the large number of people returning to the DRC, many of whom remain concentrated in small border towns. Authorities fear the resurgence of epidemics, given the close proximity in which the returned population currently lives.

UNICEF and its partners conducted an assessment of the humanitarian needs in Kamako, Kasai Province, where most of the returnees are located, and is preparing to support returning children and their families through:

Installation of safe drinking water and hand washing points, and emergency shelters in 27 settlement sites set up to welcome the population in Kasai;
Prevention of malaria through the distribution of 227,000 mosquito nets;
Management of severe acute malnutrition cases among children under five;
Preventive vaccination against measles in children from 6 to 59 months;
Establishment of learning spaces to accommodate school-aged children;
Identification and reunification of unaccompanied children.
To help returnee children and their families, UNICEF has appealed for US $3 million to fund its immediate response over the coming weeks. The additional US $6 million will be needed to support the resettlement of returned populations to their home or host areas.

Source: https://brandspurng.com/more-than-80000-children-returned-from-angola-to-dr-congo-in-urgent-need-of-humanitarian-assistance-unicef/

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has revealed after a research, that one major reason responsible for the inequality in the ratio between boys and girls in school attendance is tied to psychological imbalance.



It further said that cultural and traditional stereotyped practices which favour the boys against the girls are the catalyst to the inequality, which is often not understood in several quarters.

Education Specialist for UNICEF, Ms. Azuka Menkiti, who disclosed this in Kano during a two-day media dialogue on the theme “promote equity in education for children”, said the girl child who is physically weaker than her male counterpart is often made to do double domestic chores at her own expense.

She said the family responsibilities which are expected to be shared for both gender in the home front is usually carried out by the girls alone, whom after being physically and mentally strained will lack the capacity to do their school or homework.

She said:” The girls are expected to cook, wash plates, sweep and clean up, while the boys are busy watching television. By the time the girl finishes, she’s already tired and can hardly do her homework, which was also given to her male counterpart.

“He has more time than her and is able to concentrate and do his homework, unlike the girl who is already spent and yet they are expected to be in the same class.

“By the time the girl goes to school, she will be asked to stand up in the class and the teacher who has no idea of what has happened and how her time was spent will begin to rain abuses at her.

“Most often than not, it will be observed that tears are rolling down her face. Sometimes it will be erroneously analysed that the reason for her tears is as a result of the shame attached to her inability to do her homework, but in truth, she is actually reminiscing about the chores that took away all of her time.”

Menkiti added that although the positive change in cultural norms and values is a gradual process, society needs to change its perception about the girl child for good, as education is an enhancer which empowers and liberates individuals from poverty, lack and illiteracy.

Source: https://brandspurng.com/psychological-imbalance-prevents-girls-from-attending-school-unicef/

According to the Convener, Engr. Seun Shogbamu, the NETSummit formerly known as National Career Fair which is scheduled to hold on 13th of December 2018 at the University of Lagos, Akoka Yaba, Lagos has in the last 6 years has created nothing less than 9,000 jobs and paid internship nationwide; adding it will keep striving harder to see to total eradication of unemployment in the country.



While Shogbamu highlighted the major cause of unemployment and employment shortcomings as lack of basic and professional skills, he emphasized that this year’s edition is billed to focus more on training and moulding crude and non-crude prospects, and positioning them strategically towards a growing and demanding workforce through partnering top HR, Vocational training and Skill acquisition organisations such as Andela, Gr8jobsng, Workforce Group, Poise, Jobberman, EdubridgeAcademy, Dragnet.

Recall that the last six editions of the programme has featured top professionals and organisations such as: FIRS boss Babatunde Fowler, Jimi Agbaje, Muiz Banire (SAN), NairaBet’s Akin Alabi, UBER, Nestlé Nigeria, Feminik Logistics, Kaffy, Funke Akindele, Mai Atafo, Abisoye Fagade, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Yinka Olugbodi, SeyiLaw, Kingsley Ezeani, Shola Animashaun, Eniola Joshua, Guardian Jobs, Hybrid Group, Delicacies Plus, Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) amongst others

Source: https://brandspurng.com/netsummit-partners-andela-dragnet-workforce-others-pledges-decline-in-unemployment/

Lafiaji Football Club emerged winners of the competition and clinched the grand prize of Five Hundred Thousand Naira. Tobalase Football Club came second and got Three Hundred Thousand Naira, while Ajiran Football Club came third in the competition and went home with Two Hundred Thousand Naira. The highest goal scorer at the tournament got One Hundred Thousand Naira and the Best Goal Keeper also got One Hundred Thousand Naira.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye, JP, OON, Sateru ӏӏ, Ojomu of Ajiranland also extended his show of sportsmanship by congratulating all the winners and competing teams for their display of sportsmanship by competing in harmony and love during the one month tournament period. “I congratulate all winners and competing teams for displaying the spirit of oneness, peace, togetherness, unity and love throughout the period. Indeed, this is what football preaches and this tournament has helped to instil these virtues in our youths,” he said The sponsor, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, stated that it was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to throw its weight behind the football tournament to encourage the spirit of sportsmanship among the youths in the area.  “The games were to celebrate our Royal Father and we have achieved this by competing as brothers in the tournament through our display of sportsmanship,” he said all participating teams showered encomiums on the sponsor, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo for supporting the youths through sports by building and donating the new Ajiran stadium complete with floodlights to the community. They also prayed for Oba Akinloye, whose Coronation Anniversary has given them the platform to showcase their skills in the spirit of celebration. 
32 games were played by 16 teams during the period and each team got a participation fee of Fifty Thousand Naira each in addition to their respective football jerseys, all provided by the sponsors, Victoria Crest Homes Limited, a real estate company providing affordable housing solutions in Lagos, Nigeria.
During the competition, indigenes of the community, as well as visitors, trooped to the stadium to witness the display of skills and sportsmanship from the teams. It was a month of entertainment and celebration of the Oba’s anniversary as everyone who witnessed were elated by the euphoria of sportsmanship displayed during the games.


Source: https://brandspurng.com/2018-obas-cup-climaxes-in-excitement-as-oba-akinloye-congratuhmmlates-winners/

Samsung is one such company and has paid celebrities like musician Adam Levine and tennis star David Ferrer to use Samsung smartphones. However, both of those celebrities were caught using iPhones instead.

Apparently, Samsung is done messing around, as the latest Samsung brand ambassador to be caught using an iPhone is now getting sued by the company to the tune of 108 million Russian rubles (~$1.6 million), via The Mirror.

Russian journalist, politician, and reality TV star — and Russian president Vladimir Putin’s so-called “goddaughter” — Ksenia Sobchak is the face of Samsung in Russia. As such, she is paid to exclusively use Samsung electronics publicly. However, on a recent live television stint, Sobchak can clearly be seen using an iPhone — likely an iPhone X, although it’s hard to be 100 per cent certain.

Sobchak tried her best by using her fingers to hide the Apple logo and then using a piece of paper to hide it on the table:

To Samsung’s credit, the potential $1.6 million penalty isn’t for a first infraction: Sobchak has apparently been caught using an iPhone in public on multiple previous occasions.

AppleInsider speculates the $1.6 million penalties is actually more than Samsung is even paying her, which is pretty brutal.

However, it’s hard to feel sorry for anyone who makes millions from simply using one type of smartphone — and then messes it up. Seriously, I’m a diehard Android fanboy and I’ll use whatever Apple wants for millions of dollars. I’ll get an Apple logo tattoo. On my face.

Source: https://brandspurng.com/samsung-sues-its-own-brand-ambassador-for-using-an-iphone-x-on-tv/

Archdeacon Brown beat Bloombreed to the coveted 100 metres relay for boys, a feat some officials said may have dwarfed the extra gold medal received by the latter.

Laurels Model College and Brookstone School also won medals in the events entered for by 10 Port Harcourt-based schools. The schools included GoldSpring High School and Holy Cross International School.

Others were Emmy Norberton International School, Hopespring Foundation School, Montessori International School, Seal Model School and Tender Heart Academy.

The competition was officiated by members of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation.

The Brand Manager (Loya Milk), Oluwaseyi Aderibigbe explained that just as swimming helps to rejuvenate human system and enhance physical fitness, Loya Milk’s 50% More Calcium unique fortification helps consumer attain optimum physical wellbeing by helping them build stronger bones, tougher teeth and healthy heart.

She noted: “The interest of Loya Milk in swimming resonates with its unique brand essence. Loya Milk is fortified with extra calcium, which makes it the choice of consumers who desire to live healthy and remain physically fit.

“We at Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Loya Milk are convinced that inter-school competition is key to achieving our national sports objective. Through the Loya Swim Meet, we are playing a lead role in the quest to discover young talents in swimming.”

A professional swimmer, Dino Ebarakumo, who was part of the officiating team, said the competition would stimulate young adults’ interest in professional swimming.

“States like Rivers and Bayelsa are blessed with talents in swimming.  Most of the kids are natural swimmers. But we need to motivate them to embrace the sport as a profession. This is the reason I see the Loya Milk intervention as a noble initiative that must be emulated by other brands,” Ebarakumo, who is also the captain of Rivers State Swimming Team, further said.

Loya Swim Meet started in Lagos in 2016 with 10 schools participating. It was held in both Lagos and Port Harcourt the following year. The ongoing season held in Ibadan before it moved to Port Harcourt last weekend. It will be hosted by Abuja after which it returns to Lagos for the grand finale.

Besides Loya Swim Meet, Promasidor is engaging Nigerian youths through Cowbellpedia Mathematics TV Show and Promasidor Harness Your Dream, a career awareness workshop for public secondary schools.

Source: https://brandspurng.com/loya-swim-meet-bloombreed-archdeacon-brown-top-medal-chart-amidst-intense-competition/