Globacom and Eutelsat Communication signed a multi-year, multi-Gbps wholesale capacity contract that enables Globacom to leverage the Eutelsat Konnect satellite to deliver high-speed satellite connectivity to businesses and communities in unconnected and underserved communities in Nigeria. This agreement is the mobile network operator’s first step to extending its coverage beyond the reach of its terrestrial infrastructure.
The service will be used to deliver high-speed broadband via satellite to businesses and communities in unconnected and underserved areas throughout Nigeria.
Globacom, trading under the name Glo, is a multinational telecommunications company and the second-largest operator in Nigeria, with a market share of circa 28% and over 51 million subscribers.
In service since early 2021, EUTELSAT KONNECT is a new-generation High Throughput Satellite offering unprecedented operational flexibility. Delivering significant resources for broadband services with quasi-complete coverage of Sub-Saharan Africa, it addresses direct-to-user consumer and enterprise broadband services, with a comprehensive range of packages from bite-sized “pay as you go” vouchers through to monthly and annual contracts.
Commenting on the agreement, Rodolphe Belmer, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat, said: “We are honoured to have been selected by Globacom, one of the leading telecommunications operators in Africa’s most populous market, to extend the reach of its services.
Globacom Partners Eutelsat To Bring Satellite Broadband To Underserved Nigerian Communities
“This agreement illustrates the unparalleled resources of our powerful EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite to satisfy the strong demand for connectivity in underserved regions throughout the African continent.”
Dr Mike Adenuga Jr., Chairman of Globacom Limited, added: “We are delighted to add satellite services to our portfolio, leveraging the state-of-the-art EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite to extend connectivity to even far-flung areas in Nigeria, in line with our mission to build Africa’s biggest and best telecommunications network. The infrastructure will complement our Glo 1 submarine cable and extensive fibre optic layout across the country.”
A total of 18 presidential candidates contested the election which was held across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Saturday.
The election was postponed till Sunday in some polling units in different states due to violence, logistical problems, theft of BVAS and other issues.
But the election has been largely concluded across the 36 states and 774 local government areas in the country.
Some states where the election has been concluded have finished collating the results at wards, local government and state levels.
INEC collation officers across the states are expected to present their final tallies at the National Collation Centre in Abuja from 6 p.m. Sunday.
State collation officers are expected to take turns presenting their results.
The INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, who presides over the proceedings at the National Collation Centre, is the Chief Returning Officer of the presidential election. He will make the announcement of the final results and declare the winner of the election after taking the results of the elections from the polling units across the country.
INEC had announced earlier that the final collation would commence at about noon but was later adjourned to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
This year’s general election is the seventh since the restoration of democracy in the country. The previous elections were held in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 respectively.
Described as the most keenly contested poll in Nigeria’s contemporary political history, this year’s ballots had 18 registered parties to be voted for.
However, four are considered major contenders. They are Atiku Abubakar of PDP, Bola Tinubu of APC, Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of NNPP.
To be declared the winner, a candidate must score the highest number of votes and at least 25 per cent of votes in 25 states (two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states and the federal capital, Abuja).
Today, on the 10th anniversary of Connect, Meta CEO & Founder Mark Zuckerberg shared how the rise of AI and metaverse technologies are reshaping the way we experience our physical and digital worlds.
While the physical world around us is amazing —and it’s the combination of our physical and digital worlds that defines our reality. Yet too often, we rely on screens to tap into virtual spaces and content—and that can pull us away from the moment and the people we’re physically with.
Imagine replacing your TV with a fully customizable home theater you can take with you anywhere. Or sitting around a table with friends, some of whom are in the same physical room while others are avatars of those who live miles away—and yet still feeling fully present in the same space and experience. Or a meeting where some of the avatars are embodied AIs that can help you accomplish a variety of tasks. All of that could be possible when our physical and virtual worlds come together seamlessly.
Many of the foundational technologies needed to make that vision a reality are either already here or on the way. Mixed reality lets us bring digital objects into the physical world or create fully immersive experiences to explore. Advances in AI let us create unique characters that we can interact with in different ways. And future AR glasses will eventually bring these technologies together in a stylish form factor.
Today at Connect, Zuckerberg shared our progress on all three fronts.
Meta Quest 3 is the world’s first mainstream headset built for mixed reality—and our most powerful headset yet. With double the graphic processing power of Quest 2,* Quest 3 is also the world’s first device to feature the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform we helped develop in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies. And it’s completely standalone: no PC, no console, no battery packs—nothing to break the feeling of presence. It understands your physical space, so you can play with the world around you. With mixed reality, the limits of your physical space can expand, and you can be part of a much larger world—like opening a portal to the Upside Down from your living room in Stranger Things VR.
With Quest 3, you can immerse yourself in an expansive content library with games and experiences to suit every taste and mood. More than 100 new and upgraded titles are coming to Quest 3 this year, and many of them will incorporate mixed reality. Because Quest 3 is backwards-compatible, you get access to a vast library of 500+ VR and MR experiences on day one. And with Xbox Cloud Gaming coming to Quest in December, you’ll be able to play Halo Infinite, Minecraft Legends, Forza Horizon 5, and hundreds of other high-quality Xbox games—all on a massive 2D screen you can take with you anywhere.**
Starting at $499.99 USD, Quest 3 ships October 10, and pre-orders are open now. Click here for all the details.
While it’s been an amazing year for AI, most people today still haven’t experienced this new technology firsthand—and we have an opportunity to change that by building state-of-the-art AI into apps that billions of people already use.
We’ve talked about the Llama ecosystem of large language models, and today we unveiled our image generation model. Emu (short for Expressive Media Universe) uses your text prompts to generate high-quality, photorealistic images in just seconds. And thanks to Emu and technology from Llama 2, you can create your own custom AI stickers in chat to liven up conversations on the fly.
We also introduced restyle and backdrop—two new features coming soon to Instagram that use the technology from Emu to let you transform your photos or even co-create AI-generated images with friends. Restyle lets you reimagine your images by applying the visual styles you describe (you might type out “watercolor” or “collage from magazines and newspapers, torn edges,” for example), while backdrop leverages learnings from our Segment Anything Model so you can change your image’s scene or background. Prompts like “put me in front of a sublime aurora borealis” or “surrounded by puppies” will keep your subject in the foreground while creating the background you’ve described. Images created with restyle and backdrop will indicate the use of AI to help reduce the odds of people mistaking them for human-generated content. We’re also experimenting with forms of visible and invisible markers to help people distinguish AI-generated content.
Unlike most others in the industry, we don’t believe there will be one single super-intelligent AI that everyone uses. Rather, we think you’ll want different AIs for different things, like finding information, communicating, being entertained, playing games, helping you get work done, and more. You might even want to create your own AI that’s aligned with your goals, whether you’re a small business, a creator, or anyone really.
That’s why we’re building AI studio—a new platform for creating AIs that can help you get things done and just have fun. People will be able to interact with these AIs across the whole Meta universe of products. They’ll have profiles on Instagram and Facebook, and you’ll be able to chat with them in WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. Eventually, they’ll be embodied as avatars in the metaverse too.
We’ve created some AIs of our own using AI studio that we’ll start rolling out in the US in beta today.
Meta AI is a new assistant you can interact with like a person. It uses a custom model based on Llama 2 technology and has access to real-time information through a partnership with Bing search. And Emul is built into Meta AI, so you can generate high-quality photorealistic images for free in seconds.
We’ve also been creating AIs that have more personality, opinions, and interests, and are a bit more fun to interact with. There’s Victor, a motivational coach who encourages you to hit your goals. The Dungeon Master can take you on an old-school text-based adventure. And our sous chef Max can take the random assortment of ingredients in your pantry and come up with a delicious recipe on the fly.
Those are just a few of the AIs we’ve trained so far, and there are several more coming over the next few weeks across a range of interests, from gaming and philosophy to sports, fashion, and beyond.
We want to give people the chance to build AIs of their own, so AI studio will ultimately let developers build third-party AIs for our messaging services. We’re building a sandbox that will let people who don’t code create their own AIs. We’re working on a way for creators to build AIs that represent them and help them engage and grow their communities. And we’re making it so businesses can create AIs that interact with customers and help with commerce and support.
Generative AI will bring with it new challenges, so we’re putting in the time and effort to make sure we get this right. That includes training and fine-tuning models to fit our safety and responsibility guidelines, red-teaming with external experts and internal teams to help ensure our models are safer and more inclusive, programming in guardrails around inappropriate conversations, and sharing system cards publicly so people better understand how these models work.
This next generation of artificial intelligence will enable a wide range of experiences and interactions, which will transform how people, businesses, and creators use all of our products. And we’ll continue innovating to ensure everyone has a chance to participate in the upside. Click here to learn more.
Built in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, our next generation of smart glasses are designed so you can stay connected and capture the moment without having to stop and take out your phone—and easily share your experiences with friends, family, or the world.
We’ve upgraded them from the first generation in basically every way, and for the first time, you’ll be able to livestream directly from your smart glasses to your friends and followers on Facebook and Instagram.
These are also the first smart glasses to ship with Meta AI built in.*** Starting in the US in beta, you’ll get our state-of-the-art AI hands-free, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, in real time. And next year we’ll roll out a free update so your smart glasses will be able to understand what you’re looking at and help you out. If you want to know what building you’re standing in front of or get a translation of a sign on the fly, your Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses will have the answer.
Smart glasses will be an important platform in the future not only because they’re a natural way to see digital holograms in the physical world, but also because soon you’ll be able to let your AI see what you see and hear what you hear—which will make your smart glasses more useful over time.
Starting at $299 USD, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses collection will launch on October 17, and they’re available for pre-order today on meta.com and ray-ban.com. Click here for more information.
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While we’re hard at work delivering new technologies the world has never seen before, we’re equally focused on making those advances available for everyone. And innovation to bring the future to millions and eventually billions of people—affordably—is what Meta does best.
There’s a long road ahead, but we look forward to traveling it with the developer community and all of you.
*Based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform vs. Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 platform.
**Requires Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and supported controller (sold separately). Streaming limitations apply; server availability and wait times may vary. Select regions.
***Voice features available in English, Italian and French. Select voice features available only in English. Voice features and functionalities may differ by language. Initially Meta AI features available only in the US.
****Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses collection will be available in 15 countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and throughout Europe.
30 September is International Podcast Day, and we have seen the podcast landscape continually evolving and gaining traction in Nigeria. The demographic at the forefront of this transformation is Generation Z (Gen Z). With its accessibility and diversity of content ranging from storytelling to information sharing and entertainment, podcasting has become a popular choice for Gen Z listeners.
According to Spotify’s data, Nigerian Gen Zs aged between 18-24 constitute a sizable segment of podcast listeners, accounting for 50% of the total streams, for the last 90 days. They are followed by listeners aged 25-29, contributing 21% of the streams. In the Sub-Saharan Africa region, Gen Z also tops the listenership rate, with 39% of the total streams coming from them.
The rise of podcast listenership in Nigeria has been exponential in the past couple of years, increasing by 222% between 2021 and 2022. This places Nigeria as the second country consuming podcasts in Africa right after South Africa. Nigeria is followed by Kenya, Ghana and Angola – these five countries make up the top five African Spotify countries with the most podcast listeners.
The spotlight falls on The HonestBunch Podcast, I Said What I Said, Menisms, So Nigerian and Tea with Tay as the top local podcasts in the hearts of Nigerian listeners. Their leading position comes as no surprise, given their widespread popularity among the Gen Z and Millennials. This is attributed to their engaging and entertaining content, their keen awareness of trending subjects and their unfiltered and candid conversations.
On preferred podcast listening times among Nigerians, Spotify data shows that most listeners tune in to podcasts between 7am – 9am, possibly while commuting to work, sitting in traffic or getting ready for the day.
“Gen Z is revolutionising the podcasting landscape, and their appetite for diverse content is shaping the future of audio entertainment in Nigeria. We remain committed to elevating podcasting and amplifying the voice of podcasters in Nigeria and beyond,” says Ncebakazi Manzi, Spotify’s Podcast Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa.
Spotify has made it easier for anyone to create and grow a podcast, through Spotify for Podcasters. It’s a one stop shop to upload or record content, add interactive features like Q&A or polls, all while keeping track of a show’s growth through advanced analytics.
And for the listeners, Spotify is always working to create new ways to make it easier to listen, discover and engage with their favorite podcasts, and are rolling out new tools including auto-generated transcripts, expanding podcasts chapters and updating podcast show pages.
As podcasting continues to evolve, keeping a close eye on Gen Z’s preferences and behaviours will be crucial for all stakeholders in the podcasting ecosystem in Nigeria especially as they lead with 50.9 percent of the total population in the country.
Google today announced the opening of applications for the Hustle Academy SMB Fund, a ₦75 Million equity-free fund dedicated to amplifying the ambitions of Nigerian Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs). This initiative, offering ₦5 Million to 15 Nigerian small business owners, cements Google’s unwavering commitment to cultivating entrepreneurial growth in Nigeria.
Small businesses form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, yet they consistently grapple with challenges, notably the perennial obstacle of securing vital funding. According to the World Bank, African SMBs face a staggering finance gap of $330 billion. Additionally, only 25% of SMBs in Africa have access to bank loans, a percentage that sharply contrasts the 50% observed in developed economies.
Google’s Hustle Academy, introduced in 2022, provides SMEs with business and management education, mentoring, and networking, with a particular emphasis on preparing them to package their businesses in order to raise the necessary capital to take their businesses to the next level. Since its inception, the program has graduated over 4,000 SMBs in Nigeria, with a notable 74% from the first year reporting marked business growth.
Building on the success and impact of the Hustle Academy initiative, the Hustle Academy Fund earmarks a N75 Million pool exclusively for Nigeria to support 15 investor-ready SMBs through non-dilutive funding. This commitment is further enriched with tailored mentorship, ensuring these businesses are primed for success.
Mojolaoluwa Aderemi-Makinde, Head of Brand & Reputation, Sub Saharan Africa at Google, remarked, “The Hustle Academy Fund is a testament to the resilience and innovation of Nigerian small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy. We are hopeful that this fund will further empower them to succeed and drive economic growth, creating jobs and opportunities for all Nigerians.”
Echoing the sentiment, Sinmisola Nojimu-Yusuf, Product Marketing Manager and the Hustle Academy Program Lead at Google, said, “The Hustle Academy Fund provides SMBs with the resources and support they need to succeed. With equity-free funding, mentorship, and opportunities for increased visibility and networking, we are supporting SMBs to grow and thrive. We are committed to supporting the Nigerian entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the Hustle Academy Fund is a key part of that commitment.
To be eligible for the Hustle Academy SMB Fund, businesses must be Nigerian-founded, operating within Nigeria for 1-5 years, and have a clear and scalable business plan. They should have a track record of commitment to growth, operate in sectors aligned with the digital economy or have a digital enablement strategy, and, while not mandatory, previous participation in the Hustle Academy program is an added advantage.
Applications for the Hustle Academy Fund are open September 28 and will close on October 12th.
The award-winning Bigi Carbonated Soft Drink brand, a product of Rite Foods Limited, is delighted to unveil her highly-anticipated fourth edition of its “Bigi Watch and Win” promo. Designed exclusively for movie enthusiasts in Lagos and Abuja, this exciting promo offers participants the opportunity to watch their favourite movies and win fantastic prizes.
From September 18, 2023, to November 18, 2023, movie goers can enjoy any film of their choice at Silverbird Cinemas and receive a raffle ticket. These tickets can be redeemed for a chance to win incredible prizes, including laptops, Bigi products, printers, perfumes, and more. The grand prize for this edition is a brand-new car.
The first edition of “Bigi Watch and Win” took place in 2021, and later that same year in December, the Bigi brand held another edition. Since then, it has become an annual tradition, demonstrating Rite Foods Limited’s commitment to rewarding brand loyalty among its valued consumers.
Ms. Biola Aransiola, Assistant Brand Manager for Bigi, expressed her excitement about the fourth edition of the promo, saying, “We’ve partnered with Silverbird Cinemas to enhance people’s movie-going experience. Movie lovers can enjoy any of our 13 Bigi Carbonated Soft Drink flavours while watching their favourite films and stand a chance to win amazing prizes.”
Ms. Aransiola also mentioned that her favourite part is witnessing participants’ reactions when they discover the incredible prizes they have won, particularly the grand prize—a brand-new car. She encourages potential participants to check @getbigi on all social media platforms for the terms and conditions.
Through the “Watch & Win” promo, the Bigi brand accentuates Rite Foods Limited’s dedication to supporting the entertainment industry. The brand continues to sponsor movie premieres, as it has in the past with movies such as “The Prophetess,” “Progressive Tailors Club,” and “Aki and Pawpaw.” Additionally, it has been a consistent sponsor of the popular talent discovery platform, Nigerian Idol, for three consecutive seasons (6, 7, & 8), helping aspiring Nigerian singers achieve their dreams of stardom in the music industry.
The “Watch & Win” promo, combined with other effective marketing initiatives, has earned the Bigi brand numerous awards within its market segment. In 2023, Bigi Cola was honored with the “Best Value for Money” award at the BrandXchange Consumers Value Awards. In 2022, it received the “Fastest Growing Cola Brand of the Year” award at the Marketing Edge Brands and Advertising Excellence Awards in Lagos. The Bigi brand also claimed the “Most Outstanding CSD Brand of the Year” award at the 2021 Brandcom Awards, solidifying its position as a market leader in the beverage industry, outperforming its competitors.
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has urged owners of restaurants, hotels, and event centres operating in the state to contribute to the state’s development by prioritizing the monthly collection and remittance of a 5% consumption tax on all consumables and personal services.
The State on June 22, 2009, enacted the Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Law of Lagos State otherwise called Hotel Consumption Law, which imposes consumption tax at 5% on the value of goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants and event centers within the state. The tax base is the total cost of facilities, consumables or personal services supplied to a consumer in, by or on behalf of the hotel, restaurant or events centre.
Speaking on The Tax Talk programme monitored on TVC on Wednesday, Jimi Aina, Director, New Growth, LIRS, said while the consumption tax is a major source of revenue for the Lagos State Government, which uses the funds to provide public amenities and services such as healthcare, education, transportation, and security, owners of restaurants, hotels, event centres, etc are obligated to register with the LIRS as collecting agents.
Aina submitted that contrary to the misconception a lot of people have about consumption tax, the state has not imposed additional taxes on restaurants, hotels and event centres, rather, consumers who purchase taxable goods or services in the state are responsible for paying the consumption tax. The tax is already included in the price of the goods or services and is paid to the collecting agent who collects it on behalf of the Lagos State Government.
“Many people misunderstand the concept of consumption tax. It is often thought that this tax is an additional burden on hotels and restaurants, but this is not the case. In reality, it is the customers who are taxed when they dine out, attend events, or have drinks at a bar. The tax rate is five per cent. By paying the consumption tax, consumers contribute to the development and maintenance of these amenities and services.”
“According to Section 1 of the Lagos State Consumption Tax Law, consumption tax is defined as a tax on the supply of goods and services in Lagos State, which is charged and payable by the consumer.
“Consumers who purchase taxable goods or services in Lagos State are responsible for paying consumption tax. The tax is included in the price of the goods or services and is paid to the collecting agent who collects it on behalf of the Lagos State Government,” he said.
Speaking further, the New Growth Director said while collecting agents (restaurants, hotels and event centres) have the responsibility of collecting these taxes from consumers and remitting to the LIRS, it’s also important to factor in the deadline for remittances.
He explained; “According to the Lagos state consumption tax law, the remittances must be made not later than the 20th day of the month following the month of collection. For example, consumption tax collected in September must be remitted to the LIRS on or before the 20th of October.
Aina noted that there are legal implications to non-remittances by collecting agents who failed to remit consumption tax collected from consumers to the LIRS within the prescribed time.
“Where a Collecting Agent fails to make a return or remittances as and when due, LIRS may make an estimate of the total amount due and such estimate shall become due not later than 21 days of service of such a notice.
“Failure to remit the tax collected within the stipulated time will attract a 10% penalty of an amount not remitted plus interest at 5% above the prevailing Monetary Policy Rate of CBN of Nigeria. Such collecting agent may also face sanctions including closure of business and prosecution,” he submitted.
According to the LIRS, the monthly filing of returns on sales using UCL 2 form must be accompanied by a report stating:
The total amount of payments made for all chargeable transactions during the preceding reporting period.
The amount of consumption tax collected by the agent during the reporting period.
Any other information required by LIRS to be included in the report.
Every collecting agent is required to keep, maintain and preserve such records, books and accounts in respect of all transactions chargeable under the Law as hotels, restaurants and other businesses affected by this Law are required to register with LIRS and keep records of Evidence of registration as a Collecting Agent.
Medic West Africa, the largest gathering of healthcare professionals in the region, recently concluded a successful three-day run on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at the Landmark Center in Lagos, Nigeria. Featuring over 3,600 attendees and 161 exhibitors from 32 countries, Medic West Africa drew together regional healthcare professionals, policymakers, and service providers who are committed to knowledge-sharing, networking, and business partnerships to improve West African healthcare infrastructure.
The event was well-attended by key stakeholders including Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health; Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health (2010 – 2014); Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr Tomi Coker, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Lagos State; and Dr Success Prosper-Ohayagha, Honourable Commissioner of Health, Imo State amongst other players in the healthcare industry.
Speaking during the Healthcare Leadership Conference themed “Igniting Change: Mobilising Healthcare in West Africa for a Sustainable Future”, Dr Salma Ibrahim Anas, Honourable Special Adviser to the President on Health, spoke on the need for stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors. She said, “I want to sincerely congratulate the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria once more and Medic West Africa for putting together this conference at this time. We look forward to the outcome of the conference detailing the role of the private sector and discussing how we can work together with the government to optimize the performance of our health system. I can guarantee you that we have shifted the needle. We are more committed and we are more eager to see that we change the health outcomes in Nigeria for sustainable development.”
“We are very pleased with the success of Medic West Africa 2023,” said Tom Coleman, Exhibition Director. “Medic West Africa envisages a future in which healthcare in West Africa is more than a pipe dream; a reality in which excellence is the norm and every person is respected and cared for. As the successful decennium comes to an end, we are committed to the mission and ready to write the next chapter of an extraordinary narrative – a story of excellence, impact, and hope for a healthier and better future for West Africa. We are grateful to all of our sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees for making Medic West Africa 2023 such a success and look forward to welcoming everyone back in April 2024 for an even bigger and better event.”
Medic West Africa, which was co-located with Medlab West Africa, the ideal medical laboratory event which created unparalleled networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities among the medical laboratory community, is renowned for its position as the best gateway to access the West African healthcare market. The success of Medic West Africa’s 2023 edition was a testament to the growing importance of Medic West Africa as a platform for healthcare professionals from across the region to come together and learn about the latest advances in healthcare equipment and solutions.
A number of major deals were signed during the event, including partnerships between local and international companies to bring new technologies and products to the region. Dymind Biotechnology Co., a high-tech enterprise specialising in the R&D, manufacture, sales and service of medical devices and reagents in the field of IVD, hosted an exclusive product launch during the event showcasing their latest models covering haematology, POCT, coagulation, and veterinary products.
With a bustling agenda and strategic activities, the 2023 edition of Medic West Africa was an unmatched ideal industry platform for the collaboration of health stakeholders in achieving improved healthcare for all Nigerians. The event was supported by Crown Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Randox, and Siemens Healthineers as platinum partners; DCL Laboratory Products, Erba Mannheim, QIAGEN, Snibe Diagnostic, and UNI-Medical as gold partners; and SEMED as a silver partner.
Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh has charged the five Governors of the South-East to take up the release of Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a one-point agenda to President Bola Tinubu, noting that a positive outcome will quell the restiveness in the region and usher in sustainable prosperity.
Ekeh made the call on Thursday, September 28 at the 2023 South-East Summit on Economy and Security in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
In what was the highlight of the day’s session, Ekeh, a Forbes Best of Africa Leading Tech Icon and major investor in the South-East and other regions across Nigeria, disclosed that no concrete investment or development can take place in an atmosphere of tension and insecurity. Consequently, he urged the governors to put aside party affiliations and forge a common front to press for the release of the pro-Biafra agitator, Kanu. Ekeh, whose speech drew a standing ovation and a rapturous reaction from the audience, submitted that the South-East is a huge economy waiting to happen, added that the region is blessed with an abundance of human capital, a new breed of outstand leaders and willing investors ready to turn its fortunes around for good.
‘‘The average Igbo youth is smart, energetic and imbued with a dose of spirituality. Equipped with the necessary tools in an enabling environment, these qualities can transform our youths into world beaters and global champions. We also have quality leaders as Governors in the five South East states with the confidence to transform the region, an example of which I witnessed yesterday with the unprecedented gesture of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma to youths in the state. Working together, I believe we can site a centralized digital hub in the region which will produce certified billionaires in the next few years.
‘‘However, we must first take steps to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu as this will instantly bring about a measure of calm and sanity in the region. Kanu is a critical factor in the security issues of the South-East. President Bola Tinubu is not a stubborn or inconsiderate leader. I am sure he will listen. When he was Governor of Lagos State, he took the advice of some of us to include deserving Igbos in his cabinet and this was how Ben Akabueze emerged,’’ he counselled.
The well-attended summit had in attendance notable Igbo sons and daughters from various spheres of endeavour, including the five South East Governors, serving Ministers and Members of the House of Representatives, captains of industries, top ranking officers from the military and other security services, academic dons and corporate eggheads, representatives of women and youth leaders, among others.
In his welcome address, Imo State Governor Uzodimma, who doubles as Chairman, South-East Governor’s Forum, harped on the need for unity and oneness among people from the zone to rescue it from implosion. Uzodinma cited the spate of insecurity and the antics of non-state actors in the region. Nevertheless, he promised that the Governors of South-East are working together to ensure that Igboland returns to its previous glorious era.
‘‘Participants must rise from the summit with a clear road map that our people will follow to regain the lost freedom and businesses without molestations and harassments. We must stop the senseless sit-at-home,” he stated.
Uzodinma suggested the floating of South-East Development Fund to fund development research. He also hailed the planned dredging of Oguta Lake to Atlantic Ocean as a step in the right direction, while also commending the Nnewi, Aba and Onitsha businessmen and women for exhibiting and sustaining the business spirit of Ndigbo.
On his part, Anambra State Governor, Chukuma Soludo called for a 100-year development plan for the region. Soludo said the region must make all efforts to thrive despite the ongoing insecurity, adding that the South-East zone is not the most insecure place in the world.
‘‘It is very good to lament but I would rather like to see a glass as half full than half empty. The South-East is ready for business. We must all believe in our ability to turn things around and get the South-East going again. We need not just ourselves, we need Nigeria. Ndigbo needs Nigeria and Nigeria needs Ndigbo. Ndigbo needs Africa and the world and the world and Africa need Ndigbo. As an itinerant people, we cannot be an intolerant people. We need the partnership of everybody, partnership of the rest of the country, partnership of the diaspora and partnership with the international community.”
For Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, dialogue represents the way forward in addressing the insecurity in the zone. He called for an understanding of the anger in the land, adding that leaders in the region must pursue justice, stamp out all forms of violence and stop the extortion of the poor by the rich.
Also speaking at the summit, Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah talked up the need for a connecting road to all South-East states and a unified market to aid the region enjoy comparative advantage for specific products. He also encouraged the need for regular meetings between all stakeholders in the states.
The Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, who was represented by his Deputy, Princess Patricia Onyemechi also buttressed some of the points raised by the other speakers, while also recommending closer monitoring of children to nip nefarious associations in the bud and the need for the people of the South-East to believe in themselves.
Equally important, the keynote speaker and Director General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala lamented the regressing fortunes of the South-East and the negative impacts of the insecurity in the zone on potential investment.
Nevertheless, Okonjo-Iweala, who spoke via Zoom, referenced the rich human capital of the region. Among her recommendations to the Governors is the convening of an investment forum, the creation of an apprenticeship scheme from which talented youths can secure gainful employment, set-up of a digital infrastructural centre in the region, leveraging the connections and competencies of professionals of South-East technocrats in the Diaspora to come back home and help in developing the region, establishment of a financial bond by the governors and optimization of the opportunities in Agriculture, Oil and Gas and other sectors.
Earlier, Anyim Pius Anyim, a former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has also lent his voice to the call calling for a review of the Biafra agitation. He also emphasized the need for better strategies to rid the region of the prevailing insecurity which he described as brutal.
The summit also witnessed goodwill messages from the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, with its President Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu calling for more investment by the Federal Government in the South-East. There were also goodwill messages from other key stakeholders including traditional rulers and other establishments, while the Summit Planning Committee, led by its Chairman Sen. Chris Anyanwu also received praises from virtually all the speakers for the professional organization of the event.
In commemoration of the company’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, Mediacraft Associates Limited, a leading Nigerian full-service Public Relations and Integrated Brand Communications Consultancy firm, has announced an increment of salaries for all members of its staff.
The increment, which ranges between 15 and 25 percent, is to cushion the current hardships in the country due to the removal of petroleum subsidy, and is effective September 2023.
John Ehiguese, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Mediacraft Associates Limited, said that the salary increase had become necessary to ameliorate the sufferings of its staff in view of the current situation in the country. He also noted that the salary increase was a nice gift to Mediacrafters in celebration of the company’s milestone 20th anniversary.
Ehiguese said: “The company has implemented a general pay rise for all its staff, ranging from 15 to 25%, effective September 2023. This is in commemoration of the company’s 20th anniversary, and to help ameliorate the hardships they, as well as other Nigerians, are currently going through because of the removal of petroleum subsidy in the country.”
According to him, this gesture is supposed to be a morale booster for the members of staff, believing that they would be more resourceful and dedicated to their respective duties and job roles in providing qualitative services to Mediacraft’s numerous clients.
Recall that in February 2023, the PR agency gave a Special Hazard Allowance for all members of its staff. The allowance was to help alleviate the impact of the economic difficulties and challenges, specifically the challenges related to the cash crunch and petrol scarcity triggered by the naira re-design of the CBN.
Mediacraft Associates has continued to show industry leadership, and command respect in the Nigerian PR industry and among leading brands in the country, due to the quality of its work and impactful contributions.
It has managed and currently managing, some of the most coveted accounts in the PR industry in Nigeria. Multinationals such as the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC), The Global Energy Alliance For People and Planet (GEAPP), Stanbic IBTC Group, Olam Group, Interswitch Group, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Western Union, Master Card, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Exxonmobil, Nike, and UBS are some of the high-profile accounts to have benefitted from Mediacraft’s cutting-edge services.
Nigerian stories are performing comparatively on a global stage and have found their way into the screens and hearts of audiences worldwide. Several Nollywood productions have topped viewers’ choices locally and excelled globally.
Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo peaked at #1, Femi Adebayo’s Jagun Jagun at #6, Mo Abudu’s Blood Sisters and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor’s Amina at #9, Charles Okpaleke’s Glamour Girls at #5, and most recently, Editi Effiong’s The Black Book at #4 on the Netflix Global Top 10 list.
As Nigeria celebrates its 63rd independence anniversary, Nollywood, the country’s vibrant and influential film industry, is a near-perfect picture of Nigeria’s resilience and growth through the years. Over time, Nollywood has shined as a cultural and entertainment powerhouse, captivating audiences with its unique story. More recently, the film industry has grown with the support of investments from streaming platforms such as Netflix, allowing the sector to perform excellently on a global stage.
In 2023, Netflix strengthened its investment in remarkable storytelling in Nigeria by announcing an exciting and diverse slate of upcoming films and series. Part of the result is Femi Adebayo’s Jagun Jagun and Editi Effiong’s The Black Book, which both made it to the Netflix Global Top 10 list, the official platform for discovering the best-performing films and TV shows on Netflix globally. Jagun Jagun climbed to the top 10 trending movies on Netflix in more than 18 countries, while The Black Book entered the global top ten list in 38 countries less than a week after its release.
The slate of upcoming films and series also includes returning fan favourites from various genres and themes, including new local films and series from Mo Abudu, Charles Okpaleke, Kunle Afolayan, and Kemi Adetiba. The titles are currently in different stages of production and will make their debut on Netflix to over 238 million members around the world in more than 190 countries throughout the last quarter of the year and the beginning of 2024.
In its recent sub-Saharan Africa impact report from 2016 – 2022, Netflix has invested USD 23 million in 286 local licensed titles, co-produced, and commissioned content in Nigeria. This investment birthed the creation of popular Nigerian Netflix originals, including Aníkúlápó, Blood Sisters, Shanty Town, King of Boys, and Far from Home, among others, which all ranked highly on the streaming platform.
With the recent success of Nollywood movies locally and globally and increased investment in quality storytelling, it is expected that more Nollywood titles to reach the Netflix Top Ten list globally. This list is updated every Tuesday weekly at 7 PM Nigerian time and is the only verified source to see the best-performing films and TV shows on Netflix.
The achievements of Nollywood productions on Netflix locally and globally mark a historic milestone for Nollywood films and is something to celebrate as Nigeria marks its 63rd independence anniversary. Likewise, Netflix’s investment in great storytelling directly relates to its commitment to long-term support for Nigeria’s film industry. The streaming giant will continue working with filmmakers from Nigeria to grow its wide variety of best-in-class movies and series while creating global opportunities for them.
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach – 29 September 2023 – VinFast has officially launched VF 6, its first electric model in the B-SUV segment, the ideal choice to begin every journey for Vietnamese families. With a starting price of 675 million VND, the VF 6 is now available for order in the Vietnamese market from October 20, 2023.
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