COVID-19 Vaccination Intent Has Soared Across The World — IPSOS

Esan Bolaji
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COVID-19 Vaccination Intent Has Soared Across The World — IPSOS

A new Ipsos survey conducted in partnership with the World Economic Forum points to a notable increase in COVID-19 vaccination intent since December in all 15 countries studied.

The survey also shows that in many countries, a large majority of those who intend to get a vaccine will seek to do as soon as it is available to them.

The survey was conducted among more than 13,500 adults under the age of 75, February 25-28, 2021, on Ipsos’ Global Advisor online platform.

Vaccination intent on the rise

Adults who strongly or somewhat agree they would get a vaccine against COVID-19 make up a majority of those who report they have not yet received it in all but one of the 15 countries surveyed. Intent to get vaccinated among those who are not is:

  • Very high in Brazil (89%), Italy (85%), China (82%), Spain (82%), Mexico (80%), and South Korea (80%);
  • Fairly high in Canada (79%), Australia (78%), Japan (74%), and Germany (74%);
  • Middling in the United States (65%), South Africa (65%), and France (59%); and,
  • Low in Russia (42%).

The percentage of those who strongly agree they will get vaccinated has increased in every one of the 15 countries since a similar survey was conducted December 17-20, 2020. At the time, many of the countries in the study had not yet approved a vaccine.

  • Since mid-December, eight of the 15 countries have seen an uptick in vaccine intent among those who have not been vaccinated of more than 20 percentage points: Italy (by 36 percentage points to 62% who strongly agree), Spain (+31 to 57%), the U.K and Brazil (+24 to 70% and 76%, respectively), France (+23 to 35%), Mexico (+22 to 64%), and Canada and Germany (+21 to 60% and 51%, respectively).
  • The countries showing the smallest gains are Russia (+2 to 16%) and the United States (+3 to 41%).
  • To put these numbers in perspective, according to Oxford University data, the share of the population who had been given at least one dose of the vaccine at the time of the survey was: approximately 29% in the U.K; 14% in the U.S.; 3 to 5% in Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Spain; 1% in Mexico; and less than 1% in Australia, Japan, South Africa, and South Korea.

“If a vaccine for COVID-19 were available to me, I would get it”

Interest in Getting Vaccine Climbs Significantly in Most Countries

Rising impatience

  • In 11 of the 15 countries surveyed, most of those who are not yet vaccinated and agree that they will get the vaccine say they plan to do so immediately or within one month once it is available to them:
  • Over 80% in Brazil and the U.K (both 85%);
  • Over 70% in Mexico (78%), Spain (73%), Germany, and Italy (72%);
  • Over 60% in Canada (69%), France (67%), the U.S. (67%), and South Africa (64%);
  • Over 50% in Australia (58%); but
  • Fewer than half in Japan (49%), China (43%), Russia (35%), and South Korea (31%).

Once the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available to you, when would you get the vaccine?

In many countries, majorities seek to get the vaccine within weeks

The survey was conducted by Ipsos on its Global Advisor online platform, February 25-28, 2021, among adults 18-74 years of age in Canada, South Africa, and the United States, and 16-74 in Australia, Brazil, China (Mainland), France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

FMDQ Exchange Admits Fidelity Bank’s ₦41.21 Billion Series 1 Bond On Its Platform

Esan Bolaji
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0
FMDQ Exchange Admits Fidelity Bank’s ₦41.21 Billion Series 1 Bond On Its Platform

FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (“FMDQ Exchange” or “the Exchange”) in a continuous bid to demonstrate its commitment to the development of the Nigerian capital markets, has through its Board Listings, Markets and Technology Committee, recently approved the Listing of the Fidelity Bank PLC Series 1 ₦41.21 billion Fixed Rate Subordinated Unsecured Bond under its ₦100.00 billion Bond Issuance Programme to its Platform.

The concurrent listings and quotations by corporates across diverse sectors continue to validate FMDQ Exchange as the choice platform for the registration, listing and quotation of debt securities in the Nigerian financial market.

It also lays credence to the innovation, efficiency, and operational excellence for which the Exchange is reputed as endorsed by issuers, investors, and other market stakeholders.

READ ALSO: Latest Brand Spur Nigeria News Headlines For Today, Friday, March 12th, 2021

This significant listing will allow the Issuer, Fidelity Bank PLC, a full-fledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over five (5) million customers serviced across 250 business offices, to fund key activities that will ultimately translate into the development of the Banking Sector and the Nigerian economy at large.

In a statement by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank PLC, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said “This is a landmark bond issuance. It is by far the largest local bond transaction by any commercial bank in Nigeria, thus validating the continued investor confidence in our well-experienced management team.

By registering and listing the bonds on FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited, Fidelity Bank has provided its bondholders a robust and transparent platform that will improve the liquidity and visibility of their investments”.

Commenting on the transaction, the Co-CEO, Planet Capital Limited, Mr. Efe Akhigbe, said “Planet Capital is pleased to sponsor the listing of the Bond, having led and collaborated with a club of investment banking firms that advised on this Transaction”.

In support, the Co-CEO, Planet Capital Limited, Dr. Tony Anonyai, stated “The success of the issuance firmly establishes the Bank’s position as one of the leading banks in the country and further sets it on the strategic trajectory for market dominance in the coming years. This listing makes for liquidity and price discovery in the marketplace which is a sweetener for the investors”.

FMDQ remains committed to articulating and pioneering, with the support of its key stakeholders, innovative ways to improve and make the Nigerian financial markets globally competitive, operationally excellent, liquid, and diverse.

As is the corporate tradition for FMDQ Exchange, the bonds shall be availed all the benefits of FMDQ Exchange’s prestigious listings and quotations service including global visibility through the FMDQ Exchange website and systems, governance, credible price formation and continuous information disclosure to protect investor interest, amongst others.

FMDQ Group is Africa’s first vertically integrated financial market infrastructure (FMI) group providing a one-stop platform for the seamless and cost-efficient execution, risk management, clearing, settlement, and depository services, as well as data and information services across the debt capital, foreign exchange and derivatives markets in Nigeria, through its subsidiaries, FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited, FMDQ Clear Limited and FMDQ Depository Limited.

PPPRA Deletes Template Inflating Petrol Price To N212

Esan Bolaji
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0
PPPRA Deletes Template Inflating Petrol Price To N212

…NNPC Insists There Is No Petrol Increment

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has deleted an earlier published template announcing that the new price of petrol has reached N212.6 per litre.

Brand Spur Nigeria reports that the u-turn came hours after the agency published the template on its website, http://pppra.gov.ng/pms-guiding-price-for-march-2021/ and after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation insisted that there was no increment in the ex-depot price of petrol.

According to the above template which the PPPRA released at midnight, petrol is expected to sell at a lower retail price of N209.61 and at an upper retail price of N212.61. Nigerian marketers usually use the upper band for pump price.

The expected ex-depot price, as seen in the template, is N206.42, while the landing cost is N189.61. The ex-depot price is the price at which the product is sold by the NNPC to marketers at the depots.

READ ALSO: Latest Brand Spur Nigeria News Headlines For Today, Friday, March 12th, 2021

With ex-depot price standing at N206.42 per litre, the March template shows that the landing cost for petrol per litre is N189.61.

But the PPPRA, in a seeming U-turn, deleted the template hours later. As of 9 am on Friday, the template was still on the PPPRA website but when our correspondent checked at 10:05 am, the template has been deleted.

The website page showed ‘Page not found 404’.

The reason the link was deleted could however not be ascertained but it came amidst the public outrage over the increase in fuel price by Nigerians.

In the same vein, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has insisted that there is no increment in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol this month despite a template released by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency that the new price of petrol has reached N212.6 per litre.

NNPC said that despite the rise in the price of crude oil in the international market, there is no possibility that there would be an increment in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) in March.

The decision of the NNPC was to allow a conclusion of the ongoing engagements with organized labour and other stakeholders on an acceptable framework that will not expose the ordinary Nigerian to any hardship.

The NNPC had also given assurances that it has enough stock of petrol to keep the nation well supplied for about 40 days.

Latest Brand Spur Nigeria News Headlines For Today, Friday, March 12th, 2021

Esan Bolaji
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0
Latest Brand Spur Nigeria News Headlines For Today, Friday, March 12th, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the latest Brand Spur Nigeria News headlines for today Friday, 12th March 2021.

1. Osinbajo, Sanwo-Olu Unveil Evercare Hospital In Lekki

Evercare Hospital Lekki, a private multispecialty tertiary care facility, has officially been unveiled by His Excellency, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was welcomed by the Chairman, Evercare Hospital Lekki, Tosin Runsewe, and the management team of the hospital in Lagos.

The purpose-built state-of-the-art 165-bed multispecialty, tertiary care hospital is part of the Evercare Group, a leading impact-driven healthcare group in emerging markets operating hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic facilities across Africa and South Asia.

The commissioning of Evercare Hospital Lekki is a strategic investment designed to support the Nigerian healthcare sector by providing quality and accessible healthcare which will help alleviate some of the burden brought on by medical tourism.

2. Trade Deficit Expands For The Fifth Time

2020 was clearly a year of disruption in trade, as the COVID-19 pandemic imposed a double-edged shock on demand and supply.
In Nigeria, the country recorded its worst deficit outturn since at least 2016. The slump in merchandise trade flows (-10.3% y/y) in 2020 was not as wide as expected due to the surge in imports, despite the devaluation of the naira and the historic fall in crude prices.

On a quarterly basis, however, trade flows improved by 8.9% q/q in Q4’20, as the reopening of economies spurred demand for the country’s exports, alongside the country’s ever-growing import bill. Consequently, the country’s merchandise trade deficit widened to ₦7.4 trillion in 2020, as a result of overdependence on crude oil for exports and inelastic import demand.

On a quarterly basis, the country experienced its fifth consecutive quarter of a wider trade deficit, in line with our expectations.

3. Chivita 100% Emerges Fruit Juice Brand Of The Decade

Chivita 100% has emerged as the Best Premium Quality Natural Fruit Juice Brand of the Decade.

Brand Spur Nigeria reports that the leading premium fruit juice brand, Chivita 100%, emerged as the Best Premium Quality Natural Fruit Juice Brand of the Decade at the recently held West Africa Brands Excellence Awards in Lagos to mark its 10th anniversary of recognizing excellence and to celebrate the 2021 winners.

Chivita Celebrates the Second Edition of its Chivita World Juice Day
The West Africa Brands Excellence Awards is awarded annually to companies, agencies & brands that have been consistent in delivering impressive results within the 12 months of review, as well as to individuals who have shown true achievements in their respective sectors.

4. #FuelPriceHike: FG Increases Fuel Price To N212 Per Litre

President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government has increased the fuel price to N212.61 per litre.

Brand Spur Nigeria reports that the new fuel increment was announced on Thursday night by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), an organisation established by the government to control the price of petroleum products in the country.

PPPRA stated that the retail price for a litre of fuel for the month will be between N209.61 and N212.61.

5. IBOM ICON Hotel & Golf Resort Introduces New Performance Reward Programs

IBOM ICON Hotel & Golf Resort has introduced new performance reward programs for its staff. The management recently introduced two key initiatives “ICON Gold Star Award” (IGSA) and “ICON Departmental Efforts Award Scheme” (IDEAS) aimed at rewarding individual as well as departmental performances to spur up staff morale and motivate its workforce to greater achievements.

Every month, Managers are expected to nominate junior employees who have performed excellently for recognition and rewards through the ICON Gold Star Award program. The winner of the monthly reward program is to receive a cash reward of Fifty Thousand Naira (50, 000.00), a Certificate of Excellence and have his/her portrait prominently displayed at the Front Office for recognition.

6. NSE Completes Demutualisation — SEC And CAC Approve

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has received final approvals of its demutualization plan from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Corporate Affairs Commission Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) respectively.

Brand Spur Nigeria understands that with these approvals, the exchange has now completed its demutualization process.

Under the demutualization plan, a new non-operating holding company, the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (‘NGX Group’) has been created. The Group will have three operating subsidiaries, namely: Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX Limited), the operating exchange; NGX Regulation Limited (NGX REGCO), the independent regulation company; and NGX Real Estate Limited (NGX RELCO), the real estate company. All the entities have been duly registered at the CAC.

7. Asia Pacific Energy Leaders Identify Seven Key Trends For A Sustainable Energy Future

Regional and global business leaders, policymakers, and government representatives throughout the energy sector convened at the Asia Pacific Energy Week to discuss regional challenges and opportunities. Themed ‘Shaping the Energy of Tomorrow’, the 2-day virtual event held from March 9 to 10, 2021 saw more than 2,500 participants actively engage in the discussions, opinion polls and questions. The primary objective focused on fostering an ecosystem of collaboration and co-creation between stakeholders to help meet the world’s sustainability goals, boost economic growth, create new jobs and industries, improve human welfare and attain carbon neutrality by 2050.

Over the two days, the thought leaders in diverse panel sessions deliberated and arrived at 7 key trends for a successful transition towards a sustainable energy future.

  1. Access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply is a necessity for economic growth
  2. Ramp up the contribution of renewable energy for long-term sustainability
  3. Utilize technology for efficient and cleaner use of energy
  4. Embrace emerging and cleaner energy resources like Green Hydrogen
  5. Digitalization and AI-driven technologies will form the core of a future-proof and efficient transmission system
  6. Access to sustainable, competitive capital will accelerate the energy transformation journey
  7. Collaboration among stakeholders is imperative for the transformation of the energy landscape

8. Refinitiv Announces Winners of 2021 Thailand FX Awards

Refinitiv, a business under the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), has announced the winners of its FX Trading Awards 2021 for Thailand.

The FX Awards aim to promote transparency and liquidity in the Thai foreign exchange market and to recognize its importance to the broader Thailand economy. The award winners were determined based on trading activity on Refinitiv’s FX trading platforms throughout 2020.

Foreign exchange is the world’s most-actively-traded asset class. Refinitiv was appointed as the Official Calculating Agent for the Bank of Thailand’s transaction-based Thai Baht benchmark in 2019 to enhance Thailand’s FX and implied interest rate benchmarks, and better reflect the growth and evolving nature of Thai financial markets.

It recently reported the average daily volume (ADV) of foreign exchange trading across its FX platforms globally totaled US$457 billion in February 2021. Average daily volume for spot trading was US$91 billion.

9. Middlemen And Exploitation: The Urgent Need For Governance Or Elimination

Our society and Businesses use middlemen a lot to get transactions and activities done as quickly as possible but the scenario seems to have changed as the middlemen seem to have gained unrivalled power over other players in the transactions and negotiations.

The middleman is another word for an intermediary involved in a  transaction. The Role of a middleman or intermediary is to facilitate interaction between two or more parties while receiving a commission or fee.

Their role as a facilitator or intermediary has however given that some many unchecked powers on pricing and how the supply or value chain should be run. These unchecked powers have to lead to them controlling how negotiations and transactions are made.

10. FMDQ Admits TSL SPV PLC ₦12.00 Billion Series 1 Guaranteed Fixed Rate Infrastructure Bond To Its Platform

FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (“FMDQ Exchange” or “the Exchange”), through its Board Listings, Markets and Technology Committee, has granted the approval for the Listing of the TSL SPV PLC ₦12.00 billion Series 1 Guaranteed Fixed Rate Infrastructure Bond under its ₦50.00 billion Bond Issuance Programme on the Exchange’s Platform.

The listing of the bond joins a host of other corporate securities issued on FMDQ Exchange’s platform this year, actively tapping the DCM as a viable avenue to raise funds to meet working capital requirements.

That’s the latest Brand Spur Nigeria News Headlines for today. Read more business, brand news on Brand Spur Nigeria. See you again next Friday.

FMDQ Admits TSL SPV PLC ₦12.00 Billion Series 1 Guaranteed Fixed Rate Infrastructure Bond To Its Platform

Esan Bolaji
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0
FMDQ Admits TSL SPV PLC ₦12.00 Billion Series 1 Guaranteed Fixed Rate Infrastructure Bond To Its Platform

FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (“FMDQ Exchange” or “the Exchange”), through its Board Listings, Markets and Technology Committee, has granted the approval for the Listing of the TSL SPV PLC ₦12.00 billion Series 1 Guaranteed Fixed Rate Infrastructure Bond under its ₦50.00 billion Bond Issuance Programme on the Exchange’s Platform.

The listing of the bond joins a host of other corporate securities issued on FMDQ Exchange’s platform this year, actively tapping the DCM as a viable avenue to raise funds to meet working capital requirements.

In its role as a market organizer for the Nigerian Debt Capital Market (“DCM”), FMDQ Holdings PLC (“FMDQ Group” or “FMDQ”) has sustained efforts in ensuring that stakeholders have uninterrupted access to a credible and robust platform that allows for capital raising, risk management and transfer of value, through its wholly-owned Exchange, Central Counterparty and Depository.

Transport Services Limited (“TSL”), has set up a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to raise finance through the listing of debt securities which would be used to boost the Issuer’s business expansion exercise and to restructure the company’s debts over the specified period.

TSL is a leading provider of customized logistics and transportation solutions in Nigeria. The company currently provides regional logistics services to clients in the oil and gas, mining and construction, fast-moving consumer goods (“FMCG”), and agricultural sectors.

In a statement by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, TSL SPV PLC, Mr. Ayodeji Wright, he stated that “TSL’s Senior Guaranteed Infrastructure Bonds were conceived a few years ago and I am profoundly grateful to the entirety of the Transaction Parties, TSL Bond Investors, InfraCredit and the Regulators, who have made this a reality today.

TSL remains committed to delivering its vision of providing bespoke supply chain and logistics solutions within Nigeria, and to sub-Saharan Africa. The unprecedented issuance of the ₦12.00 billion, 10% fixed-rate, 10-year tenor TSL Bonds is a first in Nigeria’s transportation and logistics sector, which will undoubtedly be the springboard to provide the financial reinforcement to our business strategy and strong operating model.

Its proceeds will in part be used to stimulate an atmosphere for profitable growth for the business and in part for the improvement of the existing business.”

In his remarks, the Head, Debt Capital Markets, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Mr. Tokunbo Aturamu, expressed his delight at the successful issuance and listing of the TSL SPV PLC’s ₦50 billion Series 1 guaranteed infrastructure bonds (the “Bond Issue”).

He noted that “Transport Services Limited, the sponsors of TSL SPV PLC, is a key player in the crucial logistics and distribution sector of the Nigerian economy and thanked them for participating in the Bond Issue”.

In conclusion, Mr Aturamu thanked the Board and Management of Transport Services Limited for the opportunity given to Stanbic IBTC Capital to act as the Lead Issuing House to TSL SPV PLC’s landmark Bond Issue under its 50 billion debt issuance programme.

According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company Limited, Mr. Chinua Azubike, “Despite challenges brought by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, this achievement demonstrates InfraCredit’s continuing support for inclusive access to long-term local currency finance for infrastructure development, and the deepening of the domestic debt capital markets with good quality asset classes for domestic investors.

TSL, over its 19-year history, has built a strong pedigree as a highly experienced and innovative transport & logistics service provider particularly in safety, maintenance, and journey administration.

As we expand and diversify our guarantee portfolio to the transportation sector and given the importance of transport infrastructure to Nigeria’s economic recovery, we believe that our role remains vital in enabling businesses to deliver more essential infrastructure that can drive a clear and sustainable development impact on economic activities as well as improve the livelihoods of Nigerians”.

FMDQ Group is Africa’s first vertically integrated financial market infrastructure (FMI) group providing a one-stop platform for the seamless and cost-efficient execution, risk management, clearing, settlement and depository services, as well as data and information services across the debt capital, foreign exchange and derivatives markets in Nigeria, through its subsidiaries, FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited, FMDQ Clear Limited and FMDQ Depository Limited.

#FuelPriceHike: FG Increases Fuel Price To N212 Per Litre

Esan Bolaji
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0
#FuelPriceHike: FG Increases Fuel Price To N212 Per Litre

President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government has increased the fuel price to N212.61 per litre.

Brand Spur Nigeria reports that the new fuel increment was announced on Thursday night by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), an organisation established by the government to control the price of petroleum products in the country.

PPPRA stated that the retail price for a litre of fuel for the month will be between N209.61 and N212.61.

FG Increases Fuel Price To N212 Per Litre
PPPRA Report

READ ALSO: Equities Market Retracts Amid Slump In Bellwether Stocks

Although, there had been rumours that the government was planning to hike the price of the commodity and this brought about the reemergence of queues at petrol stations in some parts of Abuja and Lagos. However, the government refuted the rumours and consumers were assured that such was not in the plan at the moment.

Before the increment, the product was selling at a retail price of N162 per litre at some retail fuel stations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), while at other private fuel stations, it was sold above N170 per litre.

The latest increment in pump price is expected to impact the cost of goods and services, making it harder for more people to afford food and other basic needs.

 

Equities Market Retracts Amid Slump In Bellwether Stocks

Esan Bolaji
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0
Equities Market Retracts Amid Slump In Bellwether Stocks

Bears return to the equities market today with negative sentiments witnessed in some large-cap stocks such as DANGCEM (-3.51%) and ZENITH BANK (-1.38%).

At the close of market proceedings, the All-Share Index waned by 0.60% to close at 38,697.17. Similarly, the market capitalization lost N122.47bn to settle at N20.25tn.

The performance across sectors indicates mixed sentiments as 3 sectors closed positive while 2 traded southwards. The Insurance, Banking and Consumer Goods indices went up by 0.69%, 0.42%, and 0.01% respectively on the back of gains recorded in NEM (5.11%), GUARANTY (0.81%) and INTBREW (9.89%).

READ ALSO: The Equities Market Closed Positive Amid Rise In Big Players

On the other hand, the Industrial and Oil & Gas indices went down by 1.70% and 0.03% following losses in DANGCEM (-3.51%).

Investor sentiment as measured by the market breadth however turned positive arising from 23 advancers and 11 decliners. The activity level was weak as both volume and value of transactions declined by 54.01% and 56.83% respectively. Investors traded a total of 169.35 million units of shares valued at N2.12bn in 3,568 deals.

Fixed Income Market

The yields in the bond market trended higher on the back of selloffs across short and mid-tenor maturities. Notably, the yields on the FGN-APR-2024 and APR-2029 advanced by 26bps and 15bps respectively.

At the NTB market, the yields on the 91-day and 364-day maturities advanced stabilized at 0.94 and 4.16% respectively while that of the 184-day maturity went up by 1.56% to 3.60%.

Market Snapshot

Middlemen And Exploitation: The Urgent Need For Governance Or Elimination

Oreoluwa Aderinkomi
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0
Middlemen And Exploitation: The Urgent Need For Governance Or Elimination

Our society and Businesses use middlemen a lot to get transactions and activities done as quickly as possible but the scenario seems to have changed as the middlemen seem to have gained unrivalled power over other players in the transactions and negotiations.

The middleman is another word for an intermediary involved in a  transaction. The Role of a middleman or intermediary is to facilitate interaction between two or more parties while receiving a commission or fee.

Their role as a facilitator or intermediary has however given that some many unchecked powers on pricing and how the supply or value chain should be run. These unchecked powers have to lead to them controlling how negotiations and transactions are made.

The middlemen’s ability to influence and control transaction and negotiation has generated concern as they are being seen as situation exploiters who go extreme just to make money and this has lead to the clamouring for the possible elimination of the Middleman from the buying process.

Even Businesses are creating means by which middlemen are being eliminated in order to make buying easier and cheaper. This move by businesses has lead to rising in Direct to consumer businesses and brands.

The exorbitant prices charged by the middleman is one reason why people are trying to avoid them but it is very hard because there are situations where going through them in Nigeria might be beneficial however in many cases the use of the middleman has hindered faster process in buying.

READ ALSO: Closing The Curtain On Shade Corner Season 4

You can see middlemen in virtually all sectors of industry in Nigeria but a few that comes to mind that and if an opportunity presents itself for people to eliminate are petroleum marketers who hike petroleum prices by forcing scarcity and also contribute to panic buying.

Another form of middlemen sadly increasing the flames of elimination is House agents and Caretakers who charge a large amount for agreements and commissions. Many Middlemen even gain from both the sellers and the buyers and yet look for opportunities to exploit an urgent need in order to increase prices.

While this is still a need for Middlemen in many industries, their activities need regulating. There have to be provisions for ethics, regulations, and mode of operations to govern this profession or trade.

This set of ethics and mode of operations would serve as a mini check and balance in order for them to come to terms with reality whenever they are taking their advantages and control too far and their greed is dominating the negotiation and conversations.

Osinbajo, Sanwo-Olu Unveil Evercare Hospital In Lekki

Brand Spur
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0
Osinbajo, Sanwo-Olu Unveil Evercare Hospital In Lekki

Evercare Hospital Lekki, a private multispecialty tertiary care facility, has officially been unveiled by His Excellency, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was welcomed by the Chairman, Evercare Hospital Lekki, Tosin Runsewe, and the management team of the hospital in Lagos.

The purpose-built state-of-the-art 165-bed multispecialty, tertiary care hospital is part of the Evercare Group, a leading impact-driven healthcare group in emerging markets operating hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic facilities across Africa and South Asia.

The commissioning of Evercare Hospital Lekki is a strategic investment designed to support the Nigerian healthcare sector by providing quality and accessible healthcare which will help alleviate some of the burden brought on by medical tourism.

Evercare’s facility is equipped and designed with modern state-of-the-art infrastructure and diagnostic services, with core focus specialties including Mother & Child Services, Cardiac Sciences, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Critical Care & Emergency Medicine.

READ ALSO: Appzone Expands Executive Leadership Team

The team is comprised of a mix of highly skilled local and international full-time and visiting consultants, setting a benchmark that will enhance the long-term sustainability of the country’s healthcare ecosystem for both patients and practitioners.

Speaking during the commissioning, Osinbajo said: “The opening of Evercare Hospital in Nigeria marks an exciting moment for healthcare in Nigeria. This is not just because of the several groundbreaking innovations that come with the package, but perhaps even more for what this holds for the future of medical care in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa as the business landscape for medical care becomes wider.

Osinbajo, Sanwo-Olu Unveil Evercare Hospital In Lekki
L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Evercare Hospital Lekki, Rajeev Bhandari; Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; Executive Director Finance, Admin and Strategy, Evercare Hospital Lekki, Temi Awogboro; Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chief Medical Officer, Evercare Hospital Lekki, Dr Ayo Shonibare; and Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi during the official unveiling event of Evercare Hospital Lekki in Lagos Today…

“The fact that Evercare chose to invest in Nigeria with the Evercare one-billion-dollar ($1 billion) emerging market health fund, truly confirms that we are seeing the birth of what will be one of the fastest-growing areas in the Nigerian economy. This will help us reverse the trend of outbound medical tourism and become a place of choice for a specialized procedure in healthcare.”

Also speaking, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu said: “The launch of Evercare in Nigeria speaks to what we stand for in our Government. We have an economic agenda known as the “THEMES” agenda and the second pillar of that agenda is Health and Environment. It is not a coincidence that we are aligned with this transformation in our health sector.

“We believe that health is one of the strongest human capital needs any government should provide and we are willing to create an enabling environment for healthcare providers to strive. Last year was quite difficult for us and even at that our health budget was the only one we increased because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is part of the dedication we have for the health of our people”

READ ALSO: Evercare Hospital Lekki launches Telemedicine Platform in Nigeria

The Chairman, Evercare Hospital Lekki, Tosin Runsewe, also said: “Evercare Hospital Lekki is determined to transform the healthcare sector by focusing on delivering value-based, and accessible quality care to Nigeria.

This project which is impact-based has created hundreds of jobs, thereby positively affecting the economy and nation at large. Evercare Hospital Lekki has no doubt invested in a community of diverse, qualified, and service-driven people to provide the best quality affordable care to its patients.”

“The hospital shall strive to meet best in class standards, with a patient-centric approach to care. A robust clinical governance process has been implemented to ensure continuous quality improvement and the adherence to international standards for ethics and compliance.” The Chief Executive Officer, Evercare Hospital Lekki, Rajeev Bhandari, added.

The hospital has a strategic focus to employ and retain local talent while also developing skill sets through international expertise. This commitment is to ensure a highly experienced, well-rounded, and diverse team, poised to support the advancement of medical care across Nigeria and reduce the need to travel internationally for medical care.

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Evercare Hospital Lekki has partnered with leading HMOs in Nigeria including Axa Mansard, Total Health Trust Liberty Blue, Avon HMO, Oceanic Health, Bastion HMO and Leadway Health.

In addition to adding more local payors on a rolling basis, Evercare Hospital Lekki is also partnering with international health insurance providers including International MSO and Axa PPP.

The Evercare Group’s portfolio includes 29 hospitals, 16 clinics, more than 70 diagnostics centres, and two brownfield assets.

Evercare is one of the most diverse healthcare groups in the countries it operates in with over 10,350 employees working together to develop a systemic healthcare change in emerging markets.

CNN’s #MyFreedomDay Returns, Students Pledge To End Slavery

Esan Bolaji
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0
CNN’s #MyFreedomDay Returns, Students Pledge To End Slavery

CNN’s #MyFreedomDay a student-led and social media-driven event to raise awareness of modern-day slavery returns on Tuesday 16th March.

According to a press statement made available to Brand Spur Nigeria, to mark the fifth anniversary of CNN’s #MyFreedomDay, young people have been asked to make a pledge on what actions they’re implementing to be responsible consumers and spread awareness of slavery in supply chains through a new social campaign.

By signing the #MyFreedomDay pledge, students will join thousands of schools in more than 100 countries, to reflect on this year’s ‘The Choices You Make, The Actions You Take’ message.

Participants are encouraged to share their pledge on social media and form a ‘freedom chain’ by nominating three friends in their social circle. The longest and most creative freedom chains will also have the opportunity to be showcased on CNN.com/MyFreedomDay and other CNN platforms by using the #MyFreedomDay hashtag.

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Individuals without access to a printer or digital device can answer the question: “What are you doing to help end slavery?” then nominate three friends to do the same.

To reflect the era of virtual learning, the network has provided a selection of resources for schools, students, and community groups to contribute to the day no matter where they may be in the world.

Alongside bespoke social graphics to share with their network and a catalogue of long-form documentaries, CNN will host three global panel sessions featuring CNN talent and regional community leaders.

Available via the #MyFreedomDay microsite, CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan, Becky Anderson and Kristie Lu Stout will moderate discussions on the impact of human trafficking and how modern-day slavery can be combated in their respective regions.

In the lead up to March 16th, CNN will broadcast a new documentary film titled Silk Slaves. Airing on CNN International on March 13th, the film examines bonded labour in India’s silk industry and helps find freedom for a young woman and her mother.

Mike McCarthy, EVP and General Manager of CNN International, said: “When we launched the CNN Freedom Project 10 years ago, we made a commitment to help expose modern-day slavery in all its despicable forms. That commitment has taken us to all corners of the world, from slave auctions of African refugees in Libya, to sex trafficking rings targeting indigenous women in Canada, and to silk slaves in India — as revealed in our latest documentary. Through #MyFreedomDay we are also harnessing the energy and passion of the next generation, giving a voice to young people determined to see slavery eradicated in their lifetimes.”

Things To Know About The CNN Freedom Project

The CNN Freedom Project produces original reports, articles, and documentaries on human trafficking in all of its forms – from debt bondage in India to sex trafficking rings in Southern California and African slaves in the Sinai desert.

Since its launch in 2011, the multi-award-winning CNN Freedom Project is among the most successful and highly visible programming initiatives on CNN International.

It has generated more than 1,000 investigative stories of modern-day slavery from across six continents. Various NGOs report that these CNN Freedom Project stories have contributed to changing laws and corporate policies, led to more than 1,000 survivors receiving assistance and sparked more than $24 million in donations to anti-trafficking organizations. www.cnn.com/freedom

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