Eko Atlantic City Hosts Top 50 Brands

Eko Atlantic City, which is being constructed adjacent Victoria Island, Lagos, has played host to the top 50 brands in Nigeria 2018 as the Companies were invited to an unveiling ceremony at the Eko Atlantic City Sales Office, Victoria Island.

WARIF Conducts Gender Sensitization Workshop For Law Enforcement Agents

Following the USAID grant awarded to WARIF via the Pathfinder platform, the Women at Risk Foundation (WARIF) has trained 40 law enforcement agents across Lagos districts on adequate gender based violence management and the role of   law enforcement in the sexual assault landscape. This interactive workshop session took place at the WARIF Centre, a Sexual Assault Referral Centre run by the organisation, on the 30th of August, 2018.

Excitement, Anticipation As Football Fans Await Derby Matches in LaLiga this weekend

Football fans are gearing up for historic derby matches in Spanish Football League as Valencia, Madrid and the Basque Country prepare the third round of in the new season.

Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers urges Nigerians to take up more insurance policies

Nigerians have been enjoined to protect themselves against unforeseen mishaps by investing in insurance products. Making this call recently in his office in Lagos was the Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers Limited, Mr. Anselem Igbo.

2018 Maltina Teacher of the Year Records Unprecedented Entry

Submission of entries for the 2018 Maltina Teacher of the Year closed with a record total of 641 total entries filed from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The number is the highest ever record of entries submitted by teachers from across the country since the initiative began in 2015.

Pictures From Tranzact International 14th Annual General Meeting in Lagos

L-R: Mr. Afolabi Oladele, Non-Executive Director; Mrs. Olayimika Phillips, Non-Executive Director; Mrs. Omowunmi Adedurotimi, Company Secretary; Mr. Wole Abegunde, Chairman; Mr. Niyi Toluwalope, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Anthony Egbuna, Non-Executive Director, at the recent Annual General Meeting of the company held at Four Points by Sheraton, Oniru, Lagos.

Eaton Acquisitions increases stakes in NEM Insurance to 9%

Eaton Acquisitions Limited, an investment company, has increased its stake in NEM Insurance to 9%, days after it announced the acquisition of 4% of the insurance company.

Promasidor, CDC Unveil Microcredit for Parents of Children with Disabilities

Promasidor Nigeria Limited, in partnership with Children’s Development Centre (CDC), has unveiled a low-interest microcredit scheme aimed at empowering parents of children living with developmental challenges.

From Left: Founder of Children’s Development Centre (CDC), Dr Yinka Akindayomi; Special Adviser to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode on Social Development, Mrs. Joyce Onafowokan; Coordinator of Regulatory Affairs Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mrs Adebukola Akanmu; and Consultant to CDC, Mrs. Delphine Misan-Arenyeka, at the unveiling of Promasidor-sponsored ‘We Too Can Grow’, a microcredit scheme for guardians of children with developmental challenges, in Surulere, Lagos.

The scheme tagged, ‘We Too Can Grow’ takes off with a grant from Promasidor, manufacturers of Cowbell Milk, Top Tea, Onga seasoning and other quality food products. Five groups in Lagos and Ogun States, where the programme is taking off, have already signed up for the facility being disbursed through cooperatives.

GTBank Liberia Provides Update on Its Investigation into Assault of Staff

The management of GTBank Liberia has released another statement on the assault of its staff by the Managing Director of GTBank Liberia, Mr. Ayodeji David Bejide. The statement signed by GTBank Liberia's Head of Legal/Company Secretary was sent to all staff to update them on the progress of the investigation.

Why CBN Ordered MTN To Refund $8 billion, Slammed Four Banks With N5.87M Fine

...See below CBN's letters to the four banks

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday ordered four banks Citibank, Standard Chartered, Stanbic IBTC and Diamond Bank to pay a total sum of N5.87 billion for purportedly issuing irregular certificates of capital importation (CCIs) on behalf of some offshore investors of mobile communications company MTN Nigeria Communications Limited.

The apex bank has also ordered MTN to refund $8 billion to the central bank.

Visa Team Up With Lagos State Employment Trust Fund to Digitize Payments for MSMEs

Towards building a cashless economy in Nigeria, Visa, the global leader in payments, yesterday announced the launch of the Cashless Lagos Hackathon in partnership with Lagos Innovates, an initiative of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF).

Airtel Backs Maiden Edition of Dating Game Nigeria

… Singles to Find Love as Call to Entry Begins

Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has announced its partnership with EbonyLife TV to sponsor the maiden edition of The Dating Game, a show that has been an audience favourite since 1965 and airing in over 25 countries.

Stripe, Visa join $8 million Series A round in African payments startup Paystack

Paystack, a Nigeria-based startup providing payments tools to businesses in Africa, has raised $8 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Stripe, and includes Visa, follow-on funding from Tencent and Y Combinator, as well as angel investors Tom Stafford, Managing Partner at DST Global), Gbenga Oyebode, founding partner of Aluko & Oyebode and Board member of MTN Nigeria), and Dale Mathias, Co-founder, Innovation Partners Africa.

El Gran Derbi: The Earliest Seville Derby Since 1987/88

The 2018/19 season may only have reached Matchday 3 but it’s already time for one of the LaLiga Santander’s blockbuster fixtures.

Real Betis and Sevilla FC will meet this Sunday evening (20:45 CEST) at Betis’ Benito Villamarín stadium for the first Seville derby of the new season. This will be the earliest these two teams have met in a LaLiga Santander season since they faced off over 30 years ago on the opening weekend of the 1987/88 campaign.

Community Lauds Airtel for Donating Medical Supplies, Drugs to Health Centre

The Local Community Development Area (LCDA) Chairman of Ikorodu North Local Government, Hon. Banjo Adeola, has commended Airtel Nigeria for its donation of 14 hospital beds, seven steel seater chairs, dozens of plastic chairs and tables and drugs to Agbede Community Health Centre at Omolaiye Covenant Estate Phase 1, Ikorodu.

L-R: Hon. Adewunmi Abiodun, Supervisory Counsellor on Health, Ikorodu North Local Government LCDA; Chioma Okolie, CSR Lead, Airtel Nigeria; Alhaji Shakiru Balogun, Baale of Agbede Omolaiye; Olubunmi Abejirin, Head, Customer Experience, Airtel Nigeria and Gbolahan Dabiri, Head of Department, Agric, Ikorodu North Local Government LCDA during the donation of medical facilities and drugs to Agbede Community Health Centre by Airtel Nigeria as part of the on-going prize presentation to beneficiaries of Airtel Touching Lives season 4. 

The project was nominated by a student in the community, Gbenga Oshinaike, during the call to entry of Airtel Touching Lives season 4.

Fashion & Data Combine: Cardow, Mokubung, Kaveke Create Iconic African Designs

Technology met fashion recently in a thought-provoking project that demonstrates how data can transform African cities. Global tech giant Siemens used data from the cities of Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg and wove it into unique fabrics which tell a story about each city. Three iconic African fashion designers then used the fabrics to create one-of-kind outfits, which are as stylish as they are smart!

Stanbic IBTC assists Dangote Cement to benchmark Commercial Paper offering

...Remains the largest ever issuance by a Nigerian company

Stanbic IBTC Capital and Stanbic IBTC Bank, subsidiaries of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, have partnered with Dangote Cement PLC, Africa’s largest cement producer, to conclude yet another issuance of N50 billion Series 3 and 4 Notes, under the recently established Dangote Cement PLC’s N150 billion CP Programme. Issuance of the Series 3 and 4 Notes closed on Friday 17 August 2018.

Airtel Touching Lives: A Clarion Call to Support SDG 3

The shift in the perceived role of corporate organizations as solely profit centres to agents for positive change has become clearer more than ever before with the United Nation’s massive push for sustainability through its carefully conceived Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

AS Roma Takes A Ride with Hyundai

Serie A club AS Roma has signed a new multi-year partnership with Korean carmaker Hyundai which makes the company its Global Automotive Partner of the three-time Serie A champions until 2021.

Yobe Romps Into 2018 Cowbellpedia Maths Competition Semi-Finals

Representative of Yobe State overcame all the odds last weekend to secure a first semi-final slot for the state and the North East region in the 2018 Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics Television Quiz Show, sponsored by Cowbell Milk, the leading brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited.

Jumia Investment: Bad Business For MTN?

Africa’s leading e-commerce company, Jumia in 2016 raised over $326 million from Goldman Sachs, a U.S. investment bank; AXA, a French insurance multinational, MTN, a South African telecommunications giant, among other investors. But it seems the e-commerce shop is not earning the kind of return on investment investors are looking forward to in the last two years.

Valladolid welcome champions Barcelona for first LaLiga home game in over four years

Real Valladolid are back in the top division of Spanish football and their first home fixture since they were relegated in 2014 is a very juicy one. Current LaLiga champions Barcelona will be the first visitors of the season to the Estadio José Zorrilla, where an electric atmosphere is expected on Saturday night. The Blanquivioletas have lost just one home match in all of 2018, so Ernesto Valverde’s superstars will have to work incredibly hard as they aim to pick up the three points.

Red Cheetah Emerges Nigeria’s Leading Lifestyle App

Nigeria’s first free Wi-Fi app, Red Cheetah, yesterday emerged as the leading lifestyle app on Google Play Store in Nigeria. Prior to its emergence, the app has maintained its position as one of the top 10 apps in the lifestyle category.

1,000 entrepreneurs storm Heritage Bank’s Next Titans audition in Lagos

The Lagos audition of the Heritage Bank Plc’s foremost entrepreneurial reality TV show, popularly called the Next Titan, was held with no fewer than 1000 contestants in attendance. The enthusiastic contestants trooped to Excellence Hotel, Ogba, venue of the audition weekend, with expectation that luck would smile on them to win.

Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry signs new MoU with Oxford Business Group

Oxford Business Group (OBG) is celebrating 10 years of covering the Nigerian economy in 2018 and is partnering once again with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, and this year for the first time with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated Appoints New MD for Côte d’Ivoire & Regional Executive, UEMOA

Following an internal recruitment process initiated to replace Charles Daboiko current Managing Director of Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire and Regional Executive of UEMOA, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, ETI, has announced the appointment of Paul-Harry Aithnard as the Managing Director of its affiliate Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire and Regional Executive, UEMOA, designate.

Eaton to build substantial stake in NEM, buys 130m shares

Eaton Acquisitions Limited, an investment company that focuses on identifying listed companies with high growth potential and investing, has announced the completion of the purchase of 130 million shares of NEM Insurance Plc.

Olaleye Adeyinka, MD of CEO Eaton Acquisitions Limited

The cross deal, which has caught the attention of market watchers, sees Eaton, which was seeking to acquire 10%, buy 4% stake in NEM Insurance’s shares. The trade was negotiated between StanbicIBTC stockbrokers, and TRW Stockbrokers, representing the seller and the buyer respectively.

Capital Importation into Nigeria Stands at $5.5 Billion in Q2 – NBS

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says the total value of capital importation into Nigeria stands at $5.5 billion in the second quarter, with flighty portfolio investors contributing 74.7 per cent.

Sheraton Lagos Hotel set to Enthrall the City with Living Legend Femi Kuti Live Concert

Sheraton Lagos Hotel will host the living legend Femi Kuti, live in concert, on 22nd September, 2018. Curated in partnership with media and entertainment company Chocolate City Group, the critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, and four-time Grammy Award nominee, is set to enthrall music lovers, Afrobeat enthusiasts and members of Marriott International’s award-winning loyalty programs – Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), with an exclusive live performance of his seventh studio album, One People One World.

APRA Charges African Leaders on Good Governance, Peace

...Mourns the passing of Kofi Annan 

The African Public Relations Association (APRA) has joined the rest of the world to mourn the passing away of a global colossus and true African icon, Kofi Annan.

Food, Agro Allied Industries set export footprint to New Zealand

…Promote Made in Nigeria gluten free product

The largest and most modern Sorghum malting plants in Africa, Food, Agro, & Allied Industries Limited, one of Sona Group principal industrial units has expanded it exportation footprint to New Zealand with its made in Nigeria Malt extracts. This is in line with the Federal Government's initiative to diversify the revenue stream of the country and improve economic growth.

Luis Suarez Swap adidas for Puma in UK£1 million deal

Uruguayan and Bacelona football striker Luis Suarez has announced that he has swapped his sportwear sponsor adidas for its German rival Puma in a UK£1 million per year deal.

This was revealed by the 31-year-old star in an animated video posted on his official Twitter account.

Sport Marketing: La Liga takes regular-season game in the United States

Ahead of 2018/2019 La Liga season kick off on Friday, 17th August, 2018, La Liga, the top flight of Spanish club football, has signed a joint venture deal with Relevent Sports - a US sports and entertainment company backed by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, to hold competitive league fixtures in the United States.

43% of Nigerians Remain Financially Excluded, Lagos Business School Report Reveals

43 per cent of Nigerians are financially excluded and only 49 per cent of Nigerians owned bank accounts, according to the new financial inclusion report by The Lagos Business School launched on Thursday.

The report states that eight per cent of Nigerians owned a mobile money account, while 36 per cent used informal financial tools.

Experts unlock future work template at Stanbic IBTC Bank forum

In a rapidly changing world, more so in the digital space, finding the right models to anchor human capital development will remain a paramount determinant of corporate success. This thinking underscores the Workplace Banking Seminar’ organized by Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, a member of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, in Lagos, recently.

Build Pervasive Cyber Resilience Now

The confluence of social media, mobile devices, analytics and cloud solution especially pervasive platforms like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp, have led to remarkable advances in digital solutions that are improving the way we live and work. The digital trend is further accentuated in Nigeria by the youthful demography and increasingly affordable devices.

Understanding the Airtel SmartConnect’s Value Proposition

According to father of modern marketing, Philip Kotler, “Marketing is not the art of finding clever ways to dispose of what you make. Marketing is the art of creating genuine customer value. It is the art of helping your customer become better off. The marketer’s watchwords are quality, service, and value.”

These words of the North American Professor succinctly summarizes the fact that beyond wanting to sell or profit making, brands must be willing and ready to create value and reward customers to earn their loyalty. 

SPAR Rewards Young Athletes At 2018 Sprintstar Tourney In Partnership With Leverage Sports

The main bowl of the Dr Philip Adegbile Sports Complex of the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos came alive during the weekend when the final heats of the SprintStar tourney organized by SPAR Nigeria in partnership with Leverage Sports was held.

Coca-Cola to Mark 2018 Customer Appreciation Week with Golf Tournament

... To host 3 city golf tournaments for customers

As part of its global Customer Appreciation Week, beverage giants Coca-Cola Nigeria, will host the second edition of its annual Customer appreciation golf tournament, to celebrate and acknowledge its loyal customers across Nigeria.

Rotary announces US$96.5 million to end polio

Rotary has announced nearly US$100 million in grants to support the global effort to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that once paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children each year.

The announcement comes as Nigeria marks two years without any reported cases of wild poliovirus, following four reported cases in 2016.

Loeries Awards 2018: Facebook supports next generation of creative talent

For the third year running, Facebook is sponsoring the annual Facebook Challenge as part of the Student Category at The Loerie Awards 2018 - Africa and the Middle East’s premier award that recognises, rewards, inspires and fosters creative excellence in the advertising and brand communication industry.

Brand Communicator Set To Host Women In Marketing & Communications Conference

Brand Communicator, foremost Brands and Marketing publication has concluded plans to host the 2nd edition of Women in Marketing & Communications Conference/Awards (WIMCA) at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos on 31st August 2018.

Nigeria’s inflation drops to 11.14 percent

According the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measured inflation for July dropped to 11.14 percent (year-on-year) from 11. 23 percent recorded in June. The NBS disclosed this in its “CPI and Inflation Report’’ for July released on Wednesday in Abuja.

U.S. suspends visa and consular services in Abuja

The United State Embassy in Nigeria said that it has shut down its visa and consular services section in Abuja until further notice.

Turkish Airlines launches new partnership with Warner Bros

Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries and international destinations than any other airline, has launched a new animated safety video, featuring popular characters from The LEGO Movie franchise in surprising new roles. 

Arsenal, WorldRemit Launch Training Camp for African Community Coaches

English Premier League, Arsenal Football Club and digital money transfer experts, WorldRemit are offering local coaches the chance to attend an exclusive new training camp with Arsenal’s top youth coaches in London – and 25 shortlisted coaches will be rewarded with Arsenal kit for their entire youth squad.

Sports: Desmond Elliot, Others Call for ‘Early Start’, Hail Promasidor

A Lagos State lawmaker, Desmond Elliot;  the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Sports Council, Dr. Kweku Tandoh and a former President of the Athletes Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Mr. Toni Urhobo have advocated the articulation of programmes that would encourage and support kids who are talented in different sports.

Infinix Mobility Launches First Notch Screen Smartphone With A.I Selfie Camera, Hot S3X

Infinix Mobility has officially unveiled Africa’s first and biggest notch screen smartphone with A.I Selfie camera – Infinix Hot S3X.

The device is the latest addition to the Hot S series family, it joins a long list of devices that make up an impressive product portfolio from Infinix and reemphasizes the brand’s aptitude for designing stylish smartphones with sophisticated tech features.

New LaLiga Santander Season Brings Passion, Excitement

LaLiga rings in the new season with an innovative campaign on a global scale. It begins with a video teaser starring LaLiga Ambassadors, Vero Boquete, Fernando Sanz, Christian Karembeu, Fernando Morientes and Gaizka Mendieta and a “heartbeat” to share around the world. These ambassadors take on the important job of distributing LaLiga’s heartbeat to international influencers, celebrities, and key media personalities in their hometowns.

Binggo Dog Food Launches in New Attractive Packaging

…. Unveils New Puppy Formula

Grand Cereals Limited, an integrated food company with leading brands in the cereals, vegetable oil and animal feeds category has launched one of its products, Binggo Dog Food in new attractive packaging into the Nigerian market. This was unveiled during the recent Dog Breeders’ Forum organized by the company in Jos, Abuja and Lagos. The brand which was introduced in the last quarter of 2014 has become a household name among the dog breeding community in Nigeria.