NOC Lauds Promasidor’s Sponsorship of Team Nigeria to London 2012 Olympic Games

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has commended Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, for sponsoring Team Nigeria to the London 2012 Olympic Games. President of the NOC, Engineer Sani M. Ndansua made the commendation in Lagos yesterday at an event to celebrate 100 Days to the Olympic Games by the British Government and also to collect biometrics data of all accredited Nigerian athletes, officials and media representatives.

Biometrics data collection is a key part of the accreditation / entry visa processes for the London Games.Mr. Peter West, Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria said the biometrics process has become imperative to make the journey of the Nigerian athletes and officials going to the Olympics easy.

He said the British Government would also use the period of the Olympics to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Queen of England’s ascension to the throne, adding that hosting the Olympics is a tremendous honour for his country. As part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities, Cowbell Milk, one of the flagship brands from the stable of Promasidor Nigeria Limited has been announced as the Official Milk for the Nigerian contingent to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The announcement was made at a signing ceremony held at the head office of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) at the National Stadium, Lagos recently.

Managing Director of Promasidor, Chief Keith Richards, said that Nigeria is blessed with teeming youth with amazing sports talent, and the Olympics is a huge stage for our nation’s sport talents to fulfil their dreams and make our nation, Nigeria proud. “For this reason, we have decided to nourish their dreams for gold at this year’s Olympics by our partnership with the Nigeria Olympic Committee as the official.

Starcomms sets to introduce myPAD2 tablet

Following the successful launch of its myPAD tablet into the Nigerian telecommunication market, Starcomms Plc, Nigeria’s leading Code Division Multiple Access operator, is set to introduce the latest version of its tablet (myPAD2).

The device is an upgrade of the first myPAD the company launched in 2010, which won for itself the IT product of the year award at the Beacon of ICT award in 2011. The chief executive officer of the company, Mr. Logan Pather, who made this known in Lagos, also described the myPAD2 as a high-end tablet and a data device, innovatively crafted to support multiple functionalities that help the users maintain their high standard of living.

He said, “The device has a wide screen of 10.1 inches and it is powered by a 2.3 Android operating system that gives the best of processing speed. It offers the user excellent visibility while using the tablet.” “It comes with an exquisite and attractive appearance that radiates the grandeur that the Starcomms brand is known for in the telecommunications industry in Nigeria,” Pather added.

He further stressed that myPAD2 tablet would be bundled with a router and data offer. so as to generate customer interest and drive data sale. Pather noted that the tablet would also be sold as a standalone device to customers who already possess Starcomms routers and want to avail themselves of the innovative device.

Speaking on the available bundle offers, Pather said the myPAD2 + Router + 6GB data offer will be offered at N69, 9999 while myPAD2 tablet only will be on offer for NGN47, 999. The plan is available in all Starcomms coverage cities and sales will be made through all Starcomms sales channels. Renewals on the Router will be based on existing renewal offers. 

Air Nigeria to Commence Flights to London on May 16 and Johannesburg on May 17

Air Nigeria will on May 16 commence scheduled direct flights from Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos to London Gatwick with affordable fares for a return economy ticket, while, it will also on May 17, commence flights to O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa, using a modern Airbus A330-200 aircraft to service both routes.

In a press release by the company, Mr. Kinfe Kahssaye, Chief Executive Officer of Air Nigeria said: “After the successful turn-around of the airline over the last two years, the airline is now well positioned to compete favourably on the international market”.

Mr. Kahssaye also announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun as Executive Director, International Operation. Mr. Aisuebeogun, an ACI/ICAO International Airport Professional (IAP) brings a wealth of excellent leadership qualities and competence to drive the international arm of the airline in line with the overall business objectives.

At the inauguration of the international flight operations on May 16 and 17, Air Nigeria will operate three flights weekly to both London and Johannesburg, and by June 16, 2012, increase the frequency on the Lagos-London Gatwick route to daily flights. The long-haul services will be operated with the recently acquired modern Airbus A330-200 aircraft in two class configuration of 24 Business seats and 244 Economy class seats.

The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art iPADS for in-flight entertainment in the business class cabin, making Air Nigeria one of the first African airline to offer such a product to passengers. Tickets have gone on sale across all the sales channels such as the Internet online portal – www.myairnigeria.com, by telephone, as well as at multiple ticket offices across Nigeria, and at travel agents. Air Nigeria has since its inception received numerous international and national endorsements and recognition for offering services that are tailored to suit passengers demands.

Air Nigeria currently dominates the West and Central Africa regional market with flights to 10 African nations, offering convenient connections from the West to the Central African region via Lagos, Accra and Cotonou. From its operational base at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, the airline currently operates to Owerri, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Sokoto and Enugu on the domestic routes while on the regional routes, it operates to Brazzaville, Accra, Douala, Dakar, Monrovia, Cotonou, Banjul, Libreville, Abidjan and Sao Tome & Principe.

DN Meyer partners Babcock University on Painting Competence

DN Meyer Plc, manufacturers and marketers of high quality paint products, has partnered Babcock University to empower its painters with demonstrable competence in painting and architectural beautification, at the D.C Hall of the University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

The all encompassing training was well attended by top administrative staff of the University including, the Human Resources Assistant Director, Mr. Agbanyim Nwabueze; Acting Director, Facility Management, Mrs. Oyinloye Abidemi and all the university painters. It was divided into three sections. Speaking at the conclusion of the programme, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Adeola Omosebi noted that, the training was in keeping with DN Meyer’s objective of creating a platform for capacity building and skill acquisition to help establishments actualise their social responsibilities.

“At DN Meyer, we inspire creativity with colours. We are committed to raising industry standards in Nigeria to global level. What is required are both the technical skills and an attitude of excellence. The university provides a good platform to pass on these skills and value system. Our background of Sigma international has ranked us a multi product company that offers top of the range quality and services. This training is just a part of the overall plan to enable university painters attain proficiency on their jobs,” he stated.

The company CEO explained that, DN Meyer partnered with the tertiary institution, to highlight painting as indispensable and synonymous with lasting and durable architectural designs. “Every edifice, structure, building, house and road need painting, either internally or externally. The dividends of any good government are often tied to structures – schools, hospitals, roads, offices, residential houses, etc, – consequently making painting a skill to be desired and acquired.”

The General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Mrs. Anthonia Akinkugbe disclosed that, the training is aimed at empowering the university painters with high-tech skills so they perform better and raise their games. In her presentation, she explained that, painting transcends beautification of colours. It exhibits six key functions including, decoration, protection, communication, fixation, environmental properties and modification of surface properties. “Paint protects a surface against an external environment which may be physically and/or chemically damaging. For instance, Corrosion is a steel object. It rusts in a wet oxygenated environment, but paint provides a useful degree of protection.

Softwoods used for joinery are protected against dirt and moisture when covered with a clear layer of paint,” she added. Mrs. Akinkugbe further stated that, paints are determined by the type of Substrates or its functions. Pre-painting/surface preparation is the most important part of any painting job. “It is all the activities involved in making the substrate ready for paint application to achieve the desired perfect finish. This includes resurfacing, degreasing and the proper cleaning of the substrate.”

The Assistant Director, Human Resources of Babcock University, Mr. Nwabueze commended DN Meyer for the impactful training and partnership. “DN Meyer is a great corporate citizen that is committed to excellence and helping organizations achieve proficiency. You have positioned yourself as the leader of the Nigerian Paint and Coating industry,” he said.

DN Meyer Plc was incorporated in 1960 and converted to a Public Company in 1979. Its extensive range of products include Architectural Paints, Wood Paints, Auto refinishes, Industrial and Marine, Road lining Paints, Roof coatings, Tube coatings, HP coatings and Adhesives.

Starcomms Excites Customers with Flexible Subscription Plan

As part of its tradition of delighting its customers, Nigeria’s leading Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator in the telecommunication industry, Starcomms Plc, is spreading love to its customers by offering a flexible subscription plan.

The promo will last for six days and it will be available on both the IZAP and the 1X platforms. It will run from 16th to 21st of April, 2012. Starcomms chief executive officer, Logan Pather disclosed this in Lagos, stating that the promo is targeted at the company’s current and prospective customers.

During the promo, existing and prospective customers can buy the IZAP USB modem + 100 hours for N5, 999 while 1X USB modem + 100 hours will cost N3,999. It will be recalled that the company also offered a promo during the Valentine Day with its buy-one-get-one-free’ data modem as well as 50 per cent discount on local calls for those on voice plan while on Mother’s day, it allowed its customers to download the sweet mother caller tunes to spice up the celebration.

Starcomms has been at the forefront of bringing innovative services to its customers. The company has been adjudged since 2007 as the CDMA network of the year by top telecommunication industry watchers.

Adamawa First Lady Lauds Promasidor’s Sponsorship of Parasoccer

First Lady of Adamawa State, Dr. Halima Nyako, has commended Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of quality food products for promoting Parasoccer game in Nigeria.

The first lady made the commendation during the presentation of medals, gifts and championship cups to the winning teams at the just concluded 2012 Parasoccer tournament in Lagos, remarking that, the game will go places in Nigeria and eventually Africa, She also noted that there is ability in disability and hoped that more teams will join the tournament.

Eight teams, namely TC Warriors, Lead United, NAS Warriors, Premium Sports, Kwara State United, Plateau State, Adamawa State and Nassarawa State featured in this year’s tournament.

NAS Warriors, a team led by Yeni Kuti, daughter of popular Afro beat singer, Fela Anikulapo emerged the winner of the 5th edition of the tournament displacing TC Terrors - four times winner in the finals while Adamawa State emerged as the second runner up of the event which was held at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) Gymnasium at the National stadium, Lagos.

Managing director of Promasidor, Chief Keith Richards, said the company is always willing to assist its host communities, and that the physically challenged in the society should be assisted; adding that it is a cause which the company is committed to.

Promasidor Nigeria has been sponsoring the game for about 5 years running since it was initiated. The company took a leap of faith in the game even at a ??time when the game had no public awareness and acceptance.

Mr. Theo Lawson, chief executive officer of Total Consult – the facilitator of the game, also commended Promasidor for sponsoring the game, adding that, the company has demonstrated exemplary traits of a responsible corporate citizen worthy of emulation by all.

"Promasidor Nigeria has demonstrated exemplary traits of a responsible corporate citizen worthy of emulation by all. May their source not run dry, even as they continue to come out to be counted for Parasoccer, year after year", Lawson said.

Parasoccer is a game of soccer played on skateboards by physically challenged persons. It was founded in Nigeria by Alhaji Musibahu Lawan Didi and it is presently spreading across the country as well as other countries in West African sub-region.

Guinness begins operation in Aba, launches Dubic beer

In a bid to extend its production strength in the country, Guinness Nigeria Plc, has resumed full operation in Aba, Abia state with the launch of its latest product, Dubic Lager beer.

Speaking at the launch of Dubic Lager beer at the Government House, Umuahia, before moving to Aba, the chairman of the company, Mr. Babatunde Savage explained that Abia State was chosen for the launch because Dubic beer began from there before Guinness bought over the company.

According to him, the people of Aba and the state in general were in love with the beer hence the decision to bring back to them in a better quality. Savage said that Guinness decided to kit Enyimba because it is synonymous with Aba just like Dubic beer which he said has come back better to give the Aba people more satisfaction. He said that the beer has been a household name in the state and expressed the hope that the people will patronize and enjoy more of it.

He said that Enyimba has been doing well in continental outings and saying that Guinness was proud to be associated with the club.

“Dubic Lager beer is a product produced with raw materials from this land. It is a Nigerian beer brewed to international standard. The package is unique. The liquid is great, it is a good product. Dubic beer has come back to stay”, Savage noted.

“Dubic Extra Lager is a brand that connects with the heritage of our numerous consumers. We found this legacy of heritage in Enyimba Football Club. Enyimba was the first and still remains the only Nigerian football club that has won the CAF champions league twice”, Mr. Sola Oke, Head of innovation said.

Also, the company has promised to provide employment opportunities to the host community including construction of roads and provision of pipe borne water. In his speech, Governor Theodore Orji who was represented by secretary to the government, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa commended Guinness for returning back to Abia and for launching Dubic lager beer.

The governor assured the company that Abia was very secured and conducive for doing business and urged Guinness to spread the news to the world. He promised that his government would assist the company in any way to ensure that they enjoy doing business in the state and thanked them for the decision to sponsor Enyimba.

Airtel to sponsor Africa Movies Academy Awards

Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria has been unveiled as the official sponsor of the African Movies Academy Awards (AMAA), scheduled to take place on 22 April 2012 at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.

The mobile operator was unveiled on 11 April 2012 in Lagos to the media at a press conference to announce the partnership and provide updates on the pan African academy awards.

Speaking at the event, CEO and managing director of Airtel Nigeria, Rajan Swaroop said the partnership with AMAA provides the company a good platform to celebrate and reward the African film and movie industry in addition to giving it a perfect opportunity to contribute Airtel's quota to the development of African film and cinema industry.

He added that the coming together of Airtel and AMAA is significant in many ways, "Just as AMAA has over the years brought smile to the faces of the key players in the movie and cinema industry and their fans, Airtel continue to empower people across Nigeria and indeed the continent to communicate and sustain their business and familial ties through borderless mobile telecoms services and other innovative, relevant and affordable offerings", Swaroop said.

Explaining the choice of Airtel as official sponsor, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, CEO of AMAA noted that the mobile company had proven to be a true African brand with her operations covering 17 countries.

"Our partnership with Airtel is a brand alignment that actually works for us. AMAA is an African award that seeks to celebrate the achievements of Africans in the film industry. We must celebrate our own. The best thing that can happen to the players in the industry is to be recognised. Airtel connects Africa with her wide spread presence just like we do, and this is a key passion point for Africans," she said.

Light level rewards excellence

The Light Level Limited, the foremost signage and Installation Company has rewarded Dr. Temitope Adeyemi, the youngest and best Dissertation Award Winner of the University of Lagos, in its corporate headquarters, Lagos recently.

Dr. Adeyemi is the first Nigerian ever to bag a doctorate degree (PhD) from University of Lagos, at the age of 26, since its inception 50 years ago.

Speaking at the formal presentation ceremony, the Managing Director of Light Level, Mr. Uwamai Igein noted that, the gesture is in keeping with the Company’s corporate policy of rewarding excellence and outstanding achievements. “At Light Level, we are committed to identifying and rewarding excellence. Dr. Adeyemi’s educational upbeat performance at such a tender age exemplifies our ardent support for value creation and outstanding achievements.”

He stated that Nigeria needs top brains that will combine strong leadership and exceptional academic proficiency to compete favourably in the global knowledge based economy. He further explained that, education remains an important vehicle for Nigerian youths to dream of future possibilities of self-advancement and success.

The Company’s helmsman commended Dr. Adeyemi, “for your outstanding and inspiring feat. Our reward then, serves to strengthen your demonstrated commitment, passion and excellence as you execute your future endeavours. Your success story will continue to inspire and propel others to be focused and hardworking.”

Dr. Adeyemi pledged to cherish the reward as well as treasure the MD’s words of Wisdom as she moves on to contribute towards the development of the country. “I will always strive for excellence,” she concluded.

The GRAMMY Fountain Announces 2012 Grammy Signature Schools

The GRAMMY Foundation have announced that 18 schools nationwide have been selected as GRAMMY® Signature Schools (www.grammyintheschools.com) for 2012 and have been awarded cash grants totaling more than $100,000. Created in 1998, the GRAMMY Signature Schools program recognizes top U.S. public high schools that are making an outstanding commitment to music education during an academic school year.

GRAMMY Signature Schools are made possible in part through the generous support of Best Buy, Campbell's Labels For Education program, the Ford Motor Company Fund, and Gibson Foundation.
 
In August 2010, the GRAMMY Foundation launched the GRAMMY Signature Schools Community Award, a new extension of the GRAMMY Signature Schools program in partnership with Best Buy Mobile. To celebrate the opening of new Best Buy Mobile stores, the GRAMMY Foundation identified deserving public high school music programs to receive the award and a $2,000 grant.

During the past year, approximately 100 schools have received the GRAMMY Signature Schools Community Award, and total dollars granted were in excess of $200,000. For a list of schools, visit www.grammy.com.
 
"Our GRAMMY Signature Schools program is making a real difference in the lives of young people in public high school music programs across the country," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation.

Cell·SDK names InMobi as advertising network of choice in global partnership; targets Nigeria

Cell·SDK, the cross-platform experts which enable application developers to seamlessly create new apps, today announces InMobi, the world’s largest independent mobile advertising network, as its global partner. Developers will now be able to monetise their applications across multiple platforms by inserting only three lines of code.

Cell·SDK, developed by Spanish technology experts Syderis Technologies, is a cross-platform solution of interactive applications and games using for Android, iOS and Windows Phone. Developers using Cell·SDKcan now monetise their apps by integrate advertising into their apps. 

This presents a great opportunity for app developers and mobile advertisers in emerging markets, like Nigeria, to explore the possibilities for creating effective, revenue generating services.

Terence Eden, Developer Community Manager at InMobi comments: “It's increasingly difficult and expensive for developers to release on multiple platforms.  With competing ecosystems the norm for the foreseeable future, it's imperative that apps and games are launched cross-platform simultaneously. Cell·SDK is a practical choice for developers. Using C# to write applications for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone is an innovative choice.”

Daniel Vargas Pérez, Responsible Online Advertising at Syderis Technologies, adds: “We were looking for an advertising network, which shared our philosophy of independence and had its finger on the pulse of the developer community. So, are thrilled to have InMobi as our advertising network of choice. The developer community continues to evolve and Cell·SDK knows that we need to make it easy for developers to make money - that’s why integration of the InMobi platform was key.”

Cell·SDK has just launched its version 1.1, which has new features including camera sensor, localytics integration and status API. It also now gives developers the opportunity to manage multiple screens, in an isolated way to control application flow with its newly added Screen Manager function.

Flavour, Basketmouth, Others Dazzle at Legend Real Deal Nite

For the second month running, the highly entertaining Legend “Real Deal Nite” lived up to its billing as the King of comedy, Basketmouth, singing sensation, Flavour N’abania, Yinka Davies and other top entertainers, thrilled the audience to a wonderful time at the March edition of the Legend “Real Deal Nite” event, held at the prestigious Niteshift Coliseum hangout in Lagos.

The ambience of the night club was indeed electrifying as the in-house live-band did an impressive job of whetting the appetite of the audience before the stars of the night took to stage. The excited audience could only beg for more as ace comedian Basketmouth, sent the audience reeling in uncontrollable laughter with his rib-cracking jokes. Flavour N’abania, the Enugu state born music rave of the moment, held the crowd spellbound and jumping to their feet as he dazzled them with series of his hit songs.

Funso Ayeni, Brand Manager, Legend Extra Stout, reiterated that the relevance of the “Real Deal Nite” is to create an atmosphere where the brand bonds with its consumers and to make them understand the brand essence, “we are calling on people to follow the brand, try it and of course become a loyalist.”  

Ayeni stressed that Legend Extra stout is by far “the best brewed stout brand in Nigeria with distinguishing qualities that sets it apart from other stout brands in the market because of the full brewed process that it undergoes.”  He added that the “Real Deal Nite” which started in March 2011, would continue on a monthly basis.

The event also saw some lucky winners emerge from the raffle draw promo where wonderful gift items ranging from generating sets, DVD players, refrigerators, standing fans and lots more were carted home by revelers.
Among the lucky winners was, Mr. Tony George, a Lagos-based banker with Zenith bank plc who won a brand new refrigerator. Mr. George, who hails from Delta State, said he really did not believe he was going to win anything but that he was pleased that Legend had made him happy.

UEFA extends PlayStation deal as Sony says ‘game over’

UEFA has extended its sponsorship agreement with PlayStation for the 2012-15 Champions League cycle, with the deal set to herald the end of electronics giant Sony’s separate partnership with the tournament.

Monday’s agreement, which also encompasses the UEFA Super Cup in 2012, 2013 and 2014, saw PlayStation, a brand of the Sony Computer Entertainment Europe division, join Heineken, UniCredit, Ford and MasterCard as the fifth official partner for the 2012-2015 seasons, besides Adidas, which is the official supplier.

The PlayStation deal left the main Sony brand as the only current partner yet to commit to the new cycle. However, the company is set to end its agreement in favour of concentrating on other commercial opportunities.

“From 2012 onwards, the Sony Group will focus on the sponsorship of UEFA Champions League under the PlayStation brand only,” Sony said in a statement released to SportBusiness Newslines by UEFA. “Following a six-year long relationship, Sony Europe, under the corporate Sony brand, will discontinue its sponsorship and focus on creating other entertainment-driven activities across the Sony Group.” UEFA said it is currently in discussions with “different prospects” to finalise the sixth and last package for the 2012-15 Champions League cycle.

Regarding PlayStation’s continued commitment to the Champions League, David Taylor, CEO of UEFA Events SA, said: “We are pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with PlayStation, an iconic brand that has been an enduring sponsor of UEFA’s top club competition since 1997. Sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League continues to offer a unique stage to develop brands and provides our partners with excellent opportunities to reach their target audience.”

Nick Caplin, head of communications at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, PlayStation’s parent company, added: “The UEFA Champions League has been a huge basis for PlayStation 3 and as well as continuing to support this platform, we now look forward to bringing our latest platform, PlayStation Vita, to such significant sporting tournaments.

Top-level football provides an enormous opportunity to reach the PlayStation audience both in Europe and worldwide. This agreement solidifies the partnership between Europe’s biggest sporting and entertainment brands.”

Source: sportbusiness

Mandela archive goes live on the web

Google and the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory (NMCM) have announced that the new Nelson Mandela Digital Archive is now live on the web, freely accessible to the global public.

Google gave a $1.25m grant to the Johannesburg-based NMCM in 2011 to help preserve and digitise thousands of archival documents, photographs and videos about Mr Mandela. And now the digital exhibition has become a reality. 

Along with historians, educationalists, researchers and activists, users from around the world now have access to extensive information about the life and legacy of this extraordinary African statesman. 

The new online multimedia archive includes Mr Mandela’s correspondence with family, comrades and friends, diaries written during his 27 years of imprisonment, and notes he made while leading the negotiations that ended apartheid in South Africa. The archive will also include the earliest-known photograph of Mr. Mandela, rare images of his cell on Robben Island in the 1970s, and never-seen drafts of Mr Mandela's manuscripts for the sequel to his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom.

“It is invigorating to see our combined efforts become a reality,” said Verne Harris from the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory.