DIAMOND BANK PARTNERS MICROSOFT, HP TO EMPOWER SMEs

 Intent on promoting small businesses in Nigeria, Diamond Bank Plc, has teamed up with Microsoft, Intel, HP and MTN in a strategic partnership focused at providing SMEs in the country with essential tools required to give them the competitive edge in a dynamic business environment. 

The event which held recently in Ikeja, Lagos, featured an idea pitching competition involving five young business enterprises with Greenville Organic Foods, an agro-allied company emerging the winner of a four million naira business solution from Microsoft .

Addressing over 200 participants at the event tagged “Accelerate Your Business’’, Head, Emerging Businesses, Diamond Bank Plc, Njideka Esomeju stated that most Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) are saddled with the problem of Access to Finance, Access to Market and Access to skills, pointing out that 80% of over 35 million business ventures in Nigeria fall under the MSME category.  

Njideka revealed that Diamond Bank is focused on going beyond banking to take people to the next level in life. In her words, “At Diamond Bank, we back our passion with action as we continually seek to deepen inclusive financing in all sectors across the country’’. Sharing her wealth of knowledge on small businesses with the attendants, she stated that most start-ups are designed with borrowed business plans and are consequently wired to fail from the start.  

Njideka reiterated that Diamond Bank has embraced the challenge of serving small and growing businesses by setting up a focused unit to drive MSME initiatives.  “The Bank’s Emerging Business Propositions team recognizes that finance is not the only need of small and growing businesses, which is why we have developed interventions that go beyond the traditional services offered by most banks. Our Capacity Building, Access to Markets and Access to Finance offerings are specifically designed to assist businesses realize their growth potential”, said Njideka.  She pointed out that the proposition comprised of special accounts for different vocations and practices ranging from schools to agriculture, entertainment and medical practice all tailored to suit industry needs. 

She also disclosed that the theme for the year at Diamond Bank is focused on the digital revolution and the Bank has designed revolutionary tools and platforms in line with this drive. “The Diamond Mobile app, Online Loan application platform and the Diamond E-susu scheme are some of the digital products created to give our customers the competitive edge”,  she said.  She urged the attendants to utilize the Bank’s SME club events where it partners with relevant industry stakeholders to organize events bringing together people within an industry to create value chain networking. 

Head, SME Customers’ Marketing, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Adeniyi Adebote , in his address said; MSME’s have to leverage technology to deepen consumption in their various industries. He further stated that Microsoft is driven to empower each individual to achieve more. This is reflected in Microsoft 365 which has been developed to narrow the generational gap and enable people to grow their businesses innovatively he said.

Gbenga Daniel Elected President, Nigerian-Finnish Business Council

The former Governor of Ogun State and Chairman, Kresta Laurel Limited, Otunba Gbenga Daniel FNSE., has been elected as the President of the Nigerian-Finnish Business Council.

Otunba Daniel was elected to succeed Late Ambassador Segun Olusola who passed on in 2012 after a brief illness.

The Nigerian-Finnish Business Council was established to foster business relationship between Nigerian companies and their counterparts in Finland with the goal of encouraging trade and investment.

Daniel's Kresta Laurel firm has been acknowledged as one of the most successful business concerns with technical back up from Finland and Germany.

AFRICA'S STARS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO MANU DIBANGO, KING SUNNY ADE, PAPA WEMBA AT AFRIMA 2016

The performance stage of the 2016 All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, will come alive on Sunday, November 6 at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos in Nigeria as African music stars line up for pulsating and emotive tribute performances in honour of Manu Dibango, King Sunny Ade and late Papa Wemba, three of Africa’s renowned music legends.

In partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, and the support of the Official Host City, Lagos State, AFRIMA 2016 grand awards ceremony is preceded by The AFRIMA Music Village on Friday November 4, 2016, a non-stop music concert with over 40 African artistes performing live at the Waterfront, Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos in Nigeria. Thousands of guests expected in Lagos for the various events.

82-year-old Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone player Manu Dibango, is hailed for making an enormous contribution to African music as a whole. Nicknamed ‘The Lion of Cameroon’, Manu Dibango is recognised for developing a music style fusing jazz, funk and traditional Cameroonian music. His song “Soul Makossa” has influenced several popular music hits, including Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin”, as well as his recording of that song with Akon, the Fugees’ “Cowboys”, and Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music” and Comedian Eddie Murphy in his 1982 parody song “Boogie in your butt”.

Artiste-in-Residence at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, King Sunny Ade is classified as one of the most influential musicians of his time. The Nigerian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and two-time Grammy award nominee is known for his pioneering of modern world music. His stage performance is characterised by dexterous dancing steps and use of the guitar.

Papa Wemba, the late iconic musician from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who died at the age of 67 on April 24, 2016 during a stage performance in Cote d’Ívoire, also pioneered a blend of African, Cuban and Western sounds which became one of Africa’s most popular music styles. Dubbed the ‘King of Rhumba Rock’, Papa Wemba was also a fashion icon who popularised the La Sape look and style through his musical group Viva la Musica, with whom he performed on stages throughout the world.

Speaking about the purpose of the tribute, President and Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada said: “Contemporary African stars will be pledging their loyalty to these grassroot legends of African music to show the beauty of their music through outstanding performances on stage during the AFRIMA awards. It is also a means of showing the younger generation that they can connect to music made by older generations of artistes and use this to unite the world through music.”

Mr. Dada described these three music icons as the ‘voices of African music and the epitome of Africanness’.

Some of the top African artistes billed to honour the legacy of the three African legends include: Kiss Daniel (Nigeria); Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania); Brymo (Nigeria); Wax Dey (Cameroon); Seyi Shay (Nigeria); Fally Ipupa (DRC), Yemi Alade (Nigeria); Victoria Kimani (Kenya); Tiwa Savage (Nigeria); Aramide (Nigeria); Niniola (Nigeria); YCee (Nigeria); TJAN (Nigeria) and Flavour (Nigeria) among others.

Meanwhile, public voting continues on AFRIMA website via the platform

Troops Sustain Operation Sharan Daji in North-West

Troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army deployed on Operation SHARAN DAJI have carried out raid on livestock rustlers and armed bandits' camp at Barikin Daji forest near Masafa village in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on  Wednesday 18th October 2016. 

During the operation, the troops killed 4 bandits, recovered a motorcycle and destroyed all the camps at the forest. 

Similarly troops of the same formation, in conjunction with local vigilante also carried out similar operation at the notorious livestock, armed bandits and kidnappers hideout in Anchau forest, Kubau Local Government Area, Kaduna State same day. 

During the operation, 3 kidnappers, Umaru Buje, Sanusi Shuaibu and Samaila Ibrahim were arrested by the troops. 

The arrested persons are currently being interrogated. 

CYNTHIA SHALOM SHINES IN DEAR DIARY SEASON 2

 

Cynthia Shalom, the current Next Movie Star winner shines on the new season of Deary Diary which airs on AIT Tuesdays and Wednesdays 7pm.

 

Dear diary is a simple yet unique family and Comedy TV-Series with no satirical elements like most TV comedy series thereby setting it in a league of its own and making audience’s boredom almost impossible.

 

The 90 episodes TV series was dedicatedly shot for two months at a location in Omole Phase 1, Lagos state.

The episodes project and protect the African pride; highlight and resolve subtle yet dangerous indulgences within a family’s sphere.

It is a small world compressed within a little girl’s diary where we all at one episode or the other are in-mates.

 

Cynthia Shalom played the role of Chinagorom who is a fashion blogger running the trendy blog page tagged 'D Invader' She is dandy and a narcissist with regards to her blog and appearance. She is Helen's (Oby Olebara Uziokwu) niece, always at logger heads with her cousin Yvonne Chika and Uncle Kay (Norbert Young) always to the rescue. She is scared of Aunty Aduke's (Rachael Oniga) unequivocal discipline. The domestic staff (Moji ) ,the driver Oshomo played by Tunde Bernard (Baba Tee) and the Gateman (Mc Kirikiri) fondly calls her 'Sisi Sinagoro'. 

 

Prior to this, she featured on the series Tales of Eve where she played Segi, Pastor Liz Benson Ameye's daughter. 

 

An hour with the Shrink with Segun Arinze, Annie Idibia and Gbenro Ajibade. 

 

Iquo's Journal with Kate Henshaw and Femi Jacobs. Among others. 

British Fashion Council CEO Caroline Rush to Speak at the GTBank Fashion Weekend

Caroline Rush has achieved remarkable success in promoting the British fashion industry, particularly through organizing the globally renowned London Fashion Week and the prestigious British Fashion Awards. In 2015, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the Queen of England for services to the British fashion industry. Caroline Rush will be at the GTBank Fashion Weekend to offer insights on how to successfully position a fashion brand.

Breaking! Lagos Governor Drops 3 Commissioners

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday effected a reshuffle of his cabinet, with the dropping of the Commissioners for Tourism- Mr Folorunsho Folarin-Coker; Finance, Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi and Transportation, Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola.

This development comes exactly one year after the Governor constituted his Executive Council, precisely on October 19, 2015.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, the Governor also directed the Special Adviser, Arts and Culture to take over as the Acting Commissioner for Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Special Adviser on Transportation will take over as Acting Commissioner for Transportation while the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance takes over as the Acting Commissioner for Finance pending the appointment of new Commissioners in the respective ministries.

The Statement adds that the Governor expresses his appreciation to the former Commissioners for their service to the State and wished them well in their future endeavours.

 

SIGNED

TUNJI BELLO

SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT (SSG)

OCTOBER 19, 2016

 

Again Nigerian Navy Crackdowns on Oil Thieves and Illegal Refineries

In line with the resolve to eliminate all forms of economic sabotage, crude oil theft and other criminal activities, the operatives of the Nigerian Navy (NN) have continued the crackdown on criminals within the maritime domain.

The patrol team deployed by NNS JUBILEE has arrested 13 suspects allegedly involved in illegal bunkering activities around Ibeno area of Akwa Ibom State. The suspects were arrested in 3 Cotonou boats. Two of the boats were carrying 55 and 48 drums of suspected illegally refined AGO respectively, while the third Cotonou boat was carrying about 188 empty drums. However the suspects and exhibits have been handed over to officials of NSCDC for necessary action.

Similarly, the patrol team deployed by FOB ESCRAVOS has arrested 3 persons suspected to be oil thieves. The team also destroyed 6 Cotonou boats carrying suspected stolen crude oil around Sandhill Creek in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State. More so, the team recovered 2 wooden boats laden with 300 Metric Tones (MT) of stolen crude oil and a pumping machine during the raid.

Meanwhile, a patrol team deployed by NNS PATHFINDER has raided Adokiakiri Creek around Okirika axis and Dutch Island at Onne in Rivers State. During the operation, the Team arrested 8 suspects and destroyed 4 speedboats laden with 100 MT of illegally refined AGO. Two barges containing 500MT of suspected stolen crude oil were also destroyed by the team. In another raid, the Patrol Team also arrested 3   suspects onboard MV OMETE VI and a large wooden barge laden with        about 120MT of illegally refined AGO around FOT Onne in Rivers State.

In further development, NNS DELTA patrol team raided an illegal refinery site at Saba Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta State. During the operation, a suspect was arrested while the illegal refinery site and a Cotonou boat laden with about 82MT of suspected stolen crude oil were destroyed in situ.

'Dele Dele-Olukoju Writes:Is Dangote truly a killer brand?

The richest black man and Africa’s exceedingly rich man, multi-billionaire entrepreneur, Alhaji Aliko Dangote GCON, is a man to be admired for a myriad of reasons. He’s a trailblazer, pacesetter, conqueror, and achiever. His is an inspiring story. And despite the humongous wealth and intimidating achievement, he remains modest, meek and rather reserved.

Dangote has turned packaging to a goldmine, and literally dug up gold from his quarries, just a fraction of the business. The man who struck gold in manufacturing, Oil & Gas and Cement production, has yet struck gold. This time, not he, but his employees; they struck Funke Gold, twice!

According to reports, Funke Gold, a performing musician, was on her way to Ifo, Ogun State driving to honour a performance engagement when her car was hit by one of the now notorious Dangote trailers twice, and sent flying across the road like a ragdoll, definitely no match for a 40-ton 18-wheeler!

In the car with Funke were members of her crew, all injured with her, and helpless. Those in the vicinity were quick to help, reaching the victims before death could, and rescuing them from the wrecked car for onward transportation to a medical facility. 

But since that incident happened in July 2016, this young woman and her crew have been allegedly left for dead. After several surgeries setting their families back by several millions of naira, the management of the multinational remain unperturbed despite several entreaties, save for only one unproductive visit to the hospital in August.

Funke is now wheelchair-ridden, effectively halting her career and sole source of income - singing. The only song she sings now is that of justice, a tune that has not struck a chord with the management team at Dangote. Whatever was left of her fortune had been put into rehabilitation. Over N5,000,000 has been spent by Funke’s family, yet no compensation appears forthcoming from the corporate giant, Dangote! (N5m is the equivalent of the annual salary of a Dangote Graduate Driver).

The drivers of Dangote trucks, need I say, are reputed gods of the road, particularly on that old Abeokuta Motor Road axis, and all around Ilaro and Ibese where Dangote Cement factories are located. Aided by the sorry condition of the roads, they act like the rest of us are at their mercy, and like they’re being magnanimous for allowing us ply the roads in the first place. And to think that the company recruits graduate drivers who underwent rigorous trainings!

You’ll be alarmed to see the way they drive exiting the Apapa Quays every time, like it’s a Formula 1 flag-off. Driving a Ports vehicle like a sports vehicle cannot be acceptable in a sane society; and the FRSC can do better putting the reins on such truck drivers as they put the reins on those drivers that have not put their belts on. 

In the foregoing manner, Dangote trucks had mauled quite a number of people in 2016 alone. In April, Ajayi Yekini, a Dangote truck driver crushed his own conductor, Mojeed Jubril, to death. In May, an entire family of six was mauled to death in Akwa-Ibom State by a Dangote truck driven by Isa Bello. 

In July, a Dangote truck rammed into a kerosene tanker at Ugep, Cross River State, crushing the driver’s legs, with injuries from which he later died. In August, near Fibawe, along Bdola-Kapiri Road, Zambia, eight people were killed when a Dangote truck overtaking recklessly caused a multiple accident. And these are just the tip.

A popular Lagos lawyer is said to be very much interested in helping Funke Gold get justice, hoping it will also help slash the excesses of these hapless drivers of Dangote trucks, and help Funke back to being herself.

Written by ‘Dele Dele-Olukoju, Marketing Communication strategist, and publisher of the online Marketing Communication Digest. He writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

 

'Dele Dele-Olukoju

Award-winning Marketing Communication Practitioner

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"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle."

'Dele Dele-Olukoju Executive Director, The Eureka Tribe +234 1 295 4195  | +234 803 358 9908  | dele"eurekatribe.com  | www.eurekatribe.com | 387B, George Crescent, Wempco Road, CBD, Ikeja, Lagos

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle!

Philips clippers debut in Nigeria, other Sub-Saharan Africa Markets

Philips, a global leader in health and wellbeing has launched its first brand of clipper for the African market, and the company is confident that the product has all it takes to be a major player in the clippers category in Sub-Saharan Africa market.
The company said the new clipper was launched after a four year long research in several markets across sub-Sahara Africa. It added that the new Philips African clippers were designed to offer a more effective and precise haircut without the risk of cuts, rashes or bumps.
“The Philips clipper was developed and extensively field tested, taking into account the core concerns that came out in the research- mainly the need to get that clean shave feeling but to avoid the scratches, cuts and bumps that sometimes develop on the skin,” General Manager, Philips Personal Health- West Africa, Chioma Iwuchukwu-Nweke, said.
The clipper market in Africa is valued at about 200million pounds and the Nigerian market accounts for a major share of that sum, as about 3.5million units of clippers are sold in the country.
The two clippers launched by Philips are Philips Clipper Pro, which is ideal for professional barber styling and Philips Clipper Home, designed for personal use. Both products have been launched into the premium category of the clipper segment and would be contending in that category with other existing market leaders.
“Yes; there are loads of competition out there. But we intend to beat competition. We have spent lots of time on research, finding out what the market wants. We know the market wants more, that is why we produced the Philips clipper.
“Some clippers out there will give you the perfect precision, but then they cut the skin. Some are gentle on the skin but don’t give precision. But Philips is offering the best of both worlds. That is why we say ‘cut your hair and not your skin’”, Mrs. Nweke further stated.
The Philips hair clippers are already on sale in major supermarkets and online malls around the country including Yudala, Jumia, Next Time and Market, and they come with a 2-year guarantee.