How To Become An Instagram Influencer

People make attempts at becoming an Instagram influencer without giving thoughts about what it really means and what role they play.

An influencer is an individual who the skills, resources and capacity to affect the way and manner in which popular culture, news, goods and services are perceived by others due to their popularity, knowledge and position with the audience.

How To Become An Instagram Influencer Brandspurng

Popular and Powerful influencers with a large following who tends to have the much need amount of followers tend to charge between 500 thousand to one million depending on the nature of what you intend to put across.

The journey to take in becoming an influencer is not as easy as it appears. Here are 5 areas you have to build in order to start your influencer Journey:

1. Content Creation:

Influencers create contents that appeal to their audience and this contents attract the kind of audience needed e.g a Fashion Influencer would attract people interested in fashion or those who want to invest in it.

2. An eye for storytelling through words and images:

Your followers follow you for a reason. They like your stories. They can relate to what you post on social media. Good writing especially in terms of captions for Instagram and tweets would go along way in building your brand.

Another time is the use of visual storytelling to drive home a point. Good quality images and memes in which your target audience can relate with.

instagram data saving brandspur nigeria

3. Niche:

You have to know what kind of contents you like to put out there and be known for and also what interests people. Many people interested in becoming an influencer set their focus on popular areas like comedy and acting.

However, there are areas that can be explored and can easily be dominated if you have the skills and resources. Areas like food, travel, fitness can be tapped into. You can also be an influencer in the form of thought leadership in your industry especially if you are into white-collar jobs. You can write an opinion piece and talk about issues and way forward in your industry.

4. Trust and Credibility

When your content is credible then you build to build trust with your audience.
They begin to trust the content you put out there and even help share or broadcast your message and content to others.

5. Consistency:

Be consistent with your contents and you will slowly build an audience who acknowledges you as the place of reference for a particular type of information or content or resources.

Consistency does not mean posting every day but it means having a particular period you post and following this method through so as people can know when to expect new content.

These steps are going to help build you to the kind of influencers that moves people towards taking a particular action and who knows you can get brands to use you for their product placements.

Goldberg Ariya Repete Wraps Up In Style

One of Nigeria’s leading beer brand’s Goldberg Lager has successfully capped off the 2020/2021 edition of its proprietary music talent show, Ariya Repete.

After months of exciting musical performances, Ariya Repete 2020 finally came to an exciting conclusion on the night of Sunday, January 25, 2021. The finale which was hosted by renowned TV personality, VJ Adams, featured some truly awe-inspiring moments, culminating in a remarkable end to such a beloved show.

Goldberg Ariya Repete Wraps Up In Style
From L-R: Music Producer and Judge, Ariya Repete 2020; ID Cabasa, Music Producer and Judge, Ariya repete 2020, Puffy Tee; Snr. Brand Manager, Mainstream Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc; Mfon Bassey; Winner, Ariya Repete 2020 Edition, Babatunde Abideen (Babzman); Brand Manager, Goldberg; Funmi Ogunbodede; Song writer and Judge, Ariya Repete 2020; Sound Sultan, during the grand finale of Ariya Repete 2020 edition themed ‘Omoluabi Special’ in Lagos, recently. | www.brandspurng.com

All four  finalists treated the audience at home to some spectacular performances as they showed why they have gotten this far in the competition. It wasn’t an easy call for the Judges and voters who had the near-impossible task of selecting the winner of the grand prize.

Prior to the finale, Goldberg has put together a series of exciting events which created some palpable anticipation for the concluding episode. This included a mentorship session with brand Ambassador, Olamide, as well as some radio rounds which gave the contestants one last chance to galvanise their fans.

Goldberg Ariya Repete Wraps Up In Style

With 3 million Naira up for grabs, all the final contestants delivered stellar performances, as they all vied for the top spot. Olamide also produced a truly momentous performance to cap off a special night.

After all the votes were counted, Babatunde Abideen (Babzman), Prince Sunny Gold (PSG) and Ojaduwa Emmanuel (Dr. Flowz) emerged as first, second and third respectively. Speaking after the show was winner of the showpiece, Babatunde Abideen (Babzman) who couldn’t hold his excitement – “I am just so grateful to everyone who voted, everyone who supported me and to Goldberg Lager. I am very thankful”, he said.

Also remarking on the conclusion of the showpiece was Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager, Nigerian Breweries, Omotunde Adenusi who said,  “It’s been a great show, and I’m glad to see these talented acts emerge as winners. I believe, however, that everyone who has come on the show is a winner, and we are proud of the talents we have uncovered over the course of these two months.”

Ariya Repete is proudly sponsored by Goldberg Lager. The beer brand consistently pushes the bar of excellence by continually providing fans and consumers with remarkable experiences which dial up the culture and traditions of the people, whilst also appreciating modern social conventions.

DJ Kaywise Joins The Omoluabi Family, Gets Goldberg Ambassadorial Deal

DJ Kaywise Joins The Omoluabi Family, Gets Goldberg Ambassadorial Deal Brandspurng

DJ Kaywise Joins The Omoluabi Family, Gets Goldberg Ambassadorial Deal Brandspurng1

DJ Kaywise Joins The Omoluabi Family, Gets Goldberg Ambassadorial Deal Brandspurng1

DJ Kaywise Joins The Omoluabi Family, Gets Goldberg Ambassadorial Deal Brandspurng1

Pandemic Drove Sales of 4G and 5G-Enabled PCs to New Record In 2020

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Pandemic Drove Sales of 4G and 5G-Enabled PCs to New Record In 2020

Global sales of cellular-enabled mobile PCs reached more than 10 million units for the first time in 2020 as homeworkers sought improved connectivity in response to the closure of office facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the latest analysis from Strategy Analytics’ Connected Computing Devices program, global shipments increased by 70% to 10.1 million, the highest ever annual total. North America accounted for nearly half of 3G-, 4G- and 5G-enabled PC shipments, while Europe and Asia-Pacific accounted for 45%.

Pandemic Drove Sales of 4G and 5G-Enabled PCs to New Record In 2020 brandspurng
Figure 1. Global Cellular-Enabled Notebook PC Shipments (millions)

The report, Notebook PC Cellular Connectivity Shipment and Installed Base Forecast estimate that more than 26 million cellular-enabled PCs are now in use worldwide, an increase of 25% in twelve months.

While 4G/LTE standards dominated the market in 2020, accounting for 97% of cellular-enabled PC shipments, 5G notebook launches in 2021 are showing a greater diversity in price points, form factors, and vendor participation, and Strategy Analytics expects 5G to build its share towards 69% by 2025.

The report indicates that this growth will depend on improvements in customer education by vendors, carriers and retailers.

“What form new pricing plans take in the 5G world must be informed by a holistic view of the consumer, which devices they use where, and what they use them for,” says Chirag Upadhyay, Industry Analyst. “In the enterprise space, vendors, carriers and resellers must be able to explain how connected notebooks help save companies money in the field and help reduce security breaches compared to mobile hotspots or dongles.”

Eric Smith, Director, Connected Computing Devices, added:

“We see this is a ‘when’ problem, not an ‘if’ problem. Cellular connected notebooks will become more commonplace over the next decade but the key to when that happens lies in how industry players introduce the idea to consumers. A clear view of how users choose cellular plans is crucial for vendors, carriers, and even retailers to understand how to better educate consumer segments of more cellular-embedded options.”

Court Gives EFCC Nod to Arrest Mobil Nigeria MD

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A Federal High Court, Abuja has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the nod to arrest Mr. Richard Laing, Managing Director, ExxonMobil Nigeria.

Justice Okon Abang on Friday, January 29, 2021, granted the Commission’s application for a Bench Warrant to arrest the managing director of the international oil company.

The EFCC approached the Court for a Warrant after three invitations to Mr. Liang were rebuffed.

The Commission is investigating alleged procurement fraud in the Major Integrity Pipelines Project involving Mobile Producing Nigeria as the contracting company, Suffolk Petroleum Services Limited as the main contractor, Saipem Contracting Nigeria, Global Offshore Limited and Van Ord as sub-contractor to SPSL.

At issue, is the fraudulent creation of Change Orders worth over $213million USD.

EFCC Arraigns MD, POLNIL Limited for N2.6m Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kano Zonal Office on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, arraigned One Solomon Okonkwu before Justice Hadiza Suleiman of the Kano State High Court sitting in Gezawa, for obtaining money by false pretence.

Solomon was arrested by operatives of the EFCC following a written petition dated 19th June 2019 by one Aisha Shittu who alleged that the dependent defrauded her to the tune of Two Million Six Hundred and Fifty thousand (N2,650,000) under the pretext of supplying her with a Shortwave Diathermy Machine.

EFCC Arraigns MD, POLNIL Limited for N2.6m Fraud BRandspurng
Solomon Ikechukwu Okonkwu,

The investigation confirmed that One million five hundred thousand Naira (N1,500,000) and One million One Hundred and Fifty thousand Naira (N1, 150,000) were paid into the defendant’s First bank account and the Diamond Bank Account of one Solomon Ikechukwu Okonkwu.

Efforts to produce the equipment or recover the money were futile.

One of the charges read,

“that you, Solomon Ikechukwu Okonkwu, being the managing Director of POLNIL Limited and POLNIL Limited sometimes between November 2014 and November 2015 in Kano, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly misappropriated the sum of Two Million Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N2, 650,000.00) entrusted to you by Aisha Shittu for the supply of one unit of Shortmare Diathermy (model mettle 395) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311of the Penal Code and punishable to Section 312 of the Penal Code.”

The defendant pleaded “not guilty” when the charge was read to him. Prosecution counsel, Sadiq Hussein applied to the court for a short date and also an order to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre.

Defence counsel applied orally to the court for the bail of the defendant. Hussein opposed the oral application for bail.

Justice Suleiman adjourned the matter till February 22, 2021, for trial, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Central Correctional Centre, Kano.

How Konga is revolutionizing Agriculture in Nigeria through e-Commerce

Konga, Nigeria’s foremost composite retail giant, has once again led from the front, revolutionizing agriculture in Nigeria by leveraging e-Commerce in helping rural farmers access better agricultural inputs such as crop seedlings, fertilizers and much more at highly competitive prices.

The initiative, a first in Africa, is a partnership with UKAid-funded Frontier Technology Livestreaming established in 2016 to help innovators apply frontier technologies to the biggest challenges in development.

Konga Fertilizers Brandspurng How Konga is revolutionizing Agriculture in Nigeria through e-Commerce

The programme, which commenced in March 2019, has seen Konga – arguably the most trusted player in Africa’s biggest market – leverage its e-Commerce engine, huge technology backbone, Central Bank of Nigeria-licensed payment system – KongaPay, a considerable network of branches across the nook and crannies of Nigeria, advanced delivery capabilities through an internally owned logistics outfit – KXpress and effortless ability to reach the last mile in empowering rural, smallholder farmers to overcome obstacles faced in their agricultural practices.

Konga emerged as the technology partner for the project after it came out tops in a rigorous selection process.

Konga's Digital Auction Today

Through Konga, the agricultural sector – one of the most important in Nigeria in view of the fact that it provides livelihoods for about 70 per cent of the rural population – is receiving a much-needed turnaround aided by technology.

Part of the challenges that have for long held back this critical sector is that of reduced yields attributed to limited use of modern agricultural inputs by farmers, sub-optimal delivery times and limited information on availability and price.

This problem confronts about 80 per cent of farmers in the rural population, the overwhelming majority of whom are small-scale farmers who contend with low productivity, resulting in severely reduced incomes.

In addition, these farmers are often excluded from the formal sector and find it difficult to access capital or credit facilities. Also, most agriculture input suppliers are based in urban areas, with limited presence in rural areas due to high transaction costs.

However, Konga is bringing its suite of advanced competencies to bear in revolutionizing this sector.

Specifically, Konga is making it easy for these rural, smallholder farmers to purchase agricultural inputs online, meeting demands that have for long defied government and other allied agencies.

Further, the e-Commerce giant is providing farmers in hard-to-reach, far-flung and under-served locations in Nigeria with an easy to use platform for listing and purchasing agricultural inputs and products, as well as providing logistics through KXpress and a reliable payment solution through KongaPay within the ecosystem.

Konga’s e-Commerce platform is accessible to rural farmers with low internet connectivity, allowing them to buy inputs at competitive prices from agro-dealers and suppliers, with pre and post-pay options.

So far, Konga has recorded commendable success with the initiative, onboarding 12 merchants, recording over 7000 hits on the website and successfully delivering scores of orders.

Ganiat Ettu, an Independent Technical Expert on the project, has hailed Konga for its sterling work.

‘‘The biggest challenge has been onboarding the suppliers, the agro-dealers. Konga is used to doing business with dealers, but they found that in this space, it’s not business as usual given that their customers (the farmers) operate in rural or peri-rural areas…Physical sales are what works for them. If farmers can access agricultural inputs they require at the right price and when they need them, this will increase their yields and productivity will rise significantly.’’

Meanwhile, the pilot initiative, which has seen a fruitful marriage of e-Commerce and agriculture, has also seen potential talks of Konga making additional critical investments in agri-tech.

This was confirmed by Nick Imudia, Co-CEO, Konga Group, who described the experience garnered from the project as very insightful and useful.

‘‘The agricultural sector in Nigeria requires the government to better channel its resources in helping it to scale. There are fears of famine or food insecurity in Nigeria in the next six months as recently predicted by the United Nations. But our experience shows that Nigerian rural farmers have the capacity to feed the nation and even have some leftover for export. All they need is the right support.

‘‘We are doing our best in this area as well but we cannot do it alone. What determines whether we grow the category or invest is the number of customers we get. Do we get unique requests for products? Do we see growth in specific regions that would mean opening warehouses or new logistical hubs?’’ he concluded.

Stanbic IBTC announces Executive appointments across the Group

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Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, a member of Standard Bank Group, has announced several key executive appointments across the Group, in a bid to fortify its market leadership position in the Nigerian financial services sector.

The appointments are in line with the organisation’s corporate governance structure and succession plan, and the following receipt of all required regulatory approvals became effective on 02 February 2021.

The new appointments cut across Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC and its subsidiary, Stanbic IBTC Nominees; Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers; Stanbic IBTC Asset Management; Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers; and the newly floated Stanbic IBTC Insurance.

With the new appointments, Eric Fajemisin assumes the role of Executive Director, Corporate and Transactional Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC. He was the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers before this appointment. Eric has over 30 years’ financial services experience. He is also a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation in Nigeria.

Babatunde Majiyagbe has also been appointed as the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Nominees, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC and the first and leading custodial and investor services company in Nigeria for non-pension assets.

The Wealth Management division of the Group has also made key appointments. With these appointments, Olumide Oyetan is now the new Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers. Olumide has over 20 years’ experience and has functioned in different roles across the Group and Standard Bank. Likewise, Dare Otitoju will function as Executive Director, Investment Management, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers.

The Group’s asset management subsidiary has also appointed Busola Jejelowo as Executive Director, Investments, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management; and Wunmi Ehis-Uzenabor as Executive Director, Operations at Stanbic IBTC Asset Management.

Similar appointments were made in the trustees and insurance brokerage subsidiaries of the Group. Emi Agaba-Oloja has been appointed as Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Trustees and Ibiyemi Mezu as Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Insurance Brokers.

Akinjide Orimolade has also been appointed as Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Insurance; Sakeenat Bakare as Executive Director, Business Development at Stanbic IBTC Insurance; and Dunny Semwayo as Executive Director, Technical, at Stanbic IBTC Insurance.

Stanbic IBTC Insurance is the Group’s newly licensed subsidiary.

Commenting on the appointments, Dr. Demola Sogunle, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, said:

“We are delighted to have a pool of highly experienced, diligent and management-savvy individuals at Stanbic IBTC to be entrusted with the responsibilities of driving the next phase of our growth. We are certain the Group will benefit immensely from their wealth of knowledge and expertise because they understand our processes, values, priorities and growth trajectory, having been intricate parts of the system.”

Philip Morris Revenue Falls, But Profit Climbs in Q4 2020

Reported Diluted EPS of $5.16 Versus $4.61 in 2019, Reflecting Adjusted Diluted EPS Growth of 7.0% on an Organic Basis; Provides 2021 EPS Forecast

Philip Morris International Inc. today announces its 2020 fourth-quarter and full-year results. Comparisons presented in this press release on a “like-for-like” basis reflect pro forma 2019 results, which have been adjusted for the deconsolidation of PMI’s Canadian subsidiary, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges, Inc. (RBH), effective March 22, 2019 (the date of deconsolidation).

In addition, PMI’s total market share has been restated for previous periods to reflect the deconsolidation. Growth rates presented in this press release on an organic basis reflect currency-neutral underlying results and “like-for-like” comparisons, where applicable.

Philip Morris ends Q3 with over 16M IQOS users
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Adjustments, other calculations and reconciliations to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures are included in the schedules to this press release.

2020 FULL-YEAR & FOURTH-QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

2020 Full-Year

  • Reported diluted EPS of $5.16, up by 11.9%; up by 18.9%, excluding currency
  • Adjusted diluted EPS of $5.17, down by 0.4%; up by 7.0% on an organic basis
  • Cigarette and heated tobacco unit shipment volume down by 8.1% (reflecting cigarette shipment volume down by 11.1%, and heated tobacco unit shipment volume up by 27.6% to 76.1 billion units); down by 7.9% on a like-for-like basis
  • Market share for heated tobacco units in IQOS markets, excluding the U.S., up by 1.7 points to 6.1%
  • Net revenues down by 3.7%; down by 1.6% on an organic basis
  • Operating income up by 10.8%; up by 15.3%, excluding currency
  • Adjusted operating income up by 4.6% on an organic basis
  • Adjusted operating income margin of 40.8%, up by 2.4 points on an organic basis
  • Increased the regular quarterly dividend per share by 2.6% to an annualized rate of $4.80
  • Total IQOS users at year-end estimated at approximately 17.6 million, of which approximately 12.7 million have switched to IQOS and stopped smoking
  • On July 7, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the marketing of a version of IQOS as a Modified Risk Tobacco Product
  • On December 7, 2020, the U.S. FDA authorized the sale of the IQOS 3 device in the U.S. through the issuance of a premarket tobacco marketing order

2020 Fourth-Quarter

  • Reported diluted EPS of $1.27, up by 22.1%; up by 26.9%, excluding currency
  • Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.26, up by 3.3%; up by 7.4% on an organic basis
  • Cigarette and heated tobacco unit shipment volume down by 8.2% (reflecting cigarette shipment volume down by 11.7%, and heated tobacco unit shipment volume up by 26.9% to 21.7 billion units)
  • Market share for heated tobacco units in IQOS markets, excluding the U.S., up by 1.8 points to 6.7%
  • Net revenues down by 3.5%; down by 3.5% on an organic basis
  • Operating income up by 15.9%; up by 17.8%, excluding currency
  • Adjusted operating income up by 1.7% on an organic basis
  • Adjusted operating income margin of 38.5%, up by 2.0 points on an organic basis

“In 2020, PMI delivered a robust business performance despite the unprecedented headwinds of the COVID-19 pandemic, with adjusted diluted EPS organic growth of 7.0%, supported by stronger-than-anticipated fourth-quarter results,” said André Calantzopoulos, Chief Executive Officer.

“We must first and foremost salute the enormous efforts of the entire PMI organization to keep our employees and their families safe, ensure business continuity, rapidly adapt our ways of working and help our local communities.”

“IQOS continued to deliver impressive growth in 2020, driving significant increases in our total users, as well as both HTU shipment and in-market sales volumes. During the fourth quarter, we reported record HTU market shares in key IQOS geographies, and exited the year with double-digit national shares in ten markets.”

“We enter 2021 with favourable momentum, although certain headwinds remain, notably related to Duty-Free, Indonesia and the continued effects of the pandemic. For the full year, we are expecting a significant recovery, with mid-single-digit organic net revenue growth—driven by the growing contribution of IQOS—and further efforts on cost efficiencies driving an acceleration in forecasted adjusted diluted EPS growth to a range of 9% to 11% on the same basis.”

2021 FULL-YEAR FORECAST

Reported diluted EPS forecast to be in a range of $5.90 to $6.00, at prevailing exchange rates, representing a projected increase of around 14% to 16% versus reported diluted EPS of $5.16 in 2020.

Excluding a favourable currency impact, at prevailing exchange rates, of approximately $0.25 per share, this forecast represents a projected increase of around 9% to 11% versus adjusted diluted EPS of $5.17 in 2020, as detailed in the above table.

2021 Full-Year Forecast Assumptions

This forecast assumes:

  • A gradual improvement in the general operating environment, with potential volatility around the duration and effects of pandemic-related mobility restrictions across PMI’s key markets;
  • Lack of near-term recovery in PMI’s duty-free business given the uncertain outlook for global travel, with current dynamics persisting through year-end;
  • An estimated total international industry volume progression, excluding China and the U.S., of approximately -3% to flat;
  • A total cigarette and heated tobacco unit shipment volume progression for PMI of approximately -2% to +1%;
  • Heated tobacco unit shipment volume of 90 to 100 billion units;
  • Net revenue growth of approximately 4% to 7%, on an organic basis;
  • An increase in adjusted operating income margin of at least 150 basis points on an organic basis;
  • Operating cash flow of approximately $11 billion at prevailing exchange rates and subject to year-end working capital requirements;
  • Capital expenditures of approximately $0.8 billion;
  • An effective tax rate, excluding discrete tax events, of around 22%;
  • No share repurchases; and
  • First-quarter reported diluted EPS of around $1.40, including a favourable currency impact, at prevailing exchange rates, of around $0.09 per share, notably reflecting:
    • Net revenue that is down slightly too broadly stable on an organic basis, with an unfavourable comparison versus the first quarter of 2019; and
    • Strong operating income margin growth, primarily driven by the growing weight of IQOS in the business and continued cost efficiencies.

The foregoing is underpinned by the assumption that, even in the event of prolonged pandemic-related restrictions, there will not be a return to the depressed consumption levels of the second quarter of 2020. This assumption is consistent with the less severe impact on consumption levels observed in the second half of 2020 as COVID-19 spread in a number of markets.

This forecast excludes the impact of any future acquisitions, unanticipated or unquantifiable asset impairment and exit cost charges, future changes in currency exchange rates, further developments pertaining to the judgment in the two Québec Class Action lawsuits and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) protection granted to RBH, any unusual events, and any COVID-19-related developments different from the assumptions set forth in the company’s forecast.

Factors described in the Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements section of this release represent continuing risks to these projections.

COVID-19: Business Continuity Update

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, PMI has undertaken a number of business continuity measures to mitigate potential disruption to its operations and route-to-market in order to preserve the availability of products to its customers and adult consumers.

Currently:

  • PMI has sufficient access to the inputs for its products and is not facing any significant business continuity issues with respect to key suppliers;
  • All of PMI’s cigarette and heated tobacco unit manufacturing facilities globally are operational;
  • COVID-related restrictions do not have a significant impact on the availability of PMI’s products to its customers and adult consumers; and
  • PMI has ample liquidity through cash on hand, the ongoing cash generation of its business, and its access to the commercial paper and debt markets.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Authorizes IQOS 3 for sale in the United States

On December 7, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed that IQOS 3, Philip Morris International’s electrically heated tobacco system, is appropriate for the protection of public health and authorized it for sale in the U.S. The FDA’s decision followed the assessment of a premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) filed with the agency in March 2020.

The IQOS 3 device contains a number of technological advancements compared to a previously authorized IQOS device (IQOS 2.4), including longer battery life and quicker recharge between uses.

In its decision, the FDA noted that international survey data reviewed by the agency found no evidence of increased uptake of IQOS by youth or young adults, while use patterns available for the previously authorized version of IQOS within the U.S. have not raised new concerns regarding product use in youth and young adults.

The IQOS 3 PMTA authorization is independent of the modified risk tobacco product application (MRTPA) authorization for IQOS 2.4. PMI expects to file an application seeking an exposure modification order for IQOS 3.

Brazil Indirect Tax Credit

Following a final and enforceable decision by the highest court in Brazil in October 2020, PMI recorded a gain of $119 million for tax credits representing overpayments of indirect taxes for the period from March 2012 through December 2019. These tax credits will be applied to future tax liabilities in Brazil.

A decision regarding an additional amount of overpaid indirect taxes of approximately $90 million is still pending before this court.

Ikorodu Bois, Emmanuella, and Others nominated for Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021 

  • Kenan Thompson to host the KCAs 2021, Monday 15 March at 16h30 WAT on NickToons (DSTV Channel 308) 

Actor, comedian and Saturday Night Live legend, Kenan Thompson (Kenan, All That) will take kids and parents on a wild and slimy ride as host of Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021.

Ikorodu Bois, Emmanuella, and Others nominated for Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021  Ikorodu Bois, Emmanuella, and Others nominated for Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021 

With Thompson at the helm, kids and families around the world will literally be part of this year’s show like never before for an epic celebration of fan-favourite stars across the worlds of film, television, music, sports and more.

Locally, Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021 will broadcast on NickToons (DStv Channel 308) Monday, 15 March 2021 at 17:30 CAT. The show will also repeat on Nickelodeon (DStv channel 305) on Wednesday, 17 March at 15:05 CAT.

Ikorodu Bois, Emmanuella, and Others nominated for Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021  Ikorodu Bois, Emmanuella, and Others nominated for Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021 

For the first time ever, Nickelodeon’s Orange Blimp will leave the KCA venue and take fans on a wild ride around the world and beyond. Filled with slime and messy stunts, viewers will travel to outer space, Bikini Bottom and right into celebrities’ homes using XR technology.

This year’s show will also feature live and interactive fan walls that bring celebrities and families at home to the main stage; second-screen live voting all night long where fans stay in control; and a KCA award presented by one lucky family chosen during the show.

Ikorodu Bois, Emmanuella, and Others nominated for Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021 

Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager at ViacomCBS Networks Africa commented,

“Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021 unites children and families across the globe by providing them with a powerful platform to celebrate their favourite personalities.

We are especially proud of the incredible diversity of representation across the continent and congratulate all nominees who are representing Africa at this global event. Parents and kids can expect lots of fun, slime, inspiration and laughter from this year’s innovative show.” 

The six prominent African stars that have been nominated to represent the continent in the Favourite African Star category, include Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi (South Africa), actress Thuso Mbedu (South Africa), two-time nominee, philanthropist and Springbok Rugby Captain Siya Kolisi (South Africa), Liverpool Football Club soccer star Mo Salah (Egypt), Sadio Mane Liverpool midfielder (Senegal) and Sheebah Karungi leading dancer and songstress (Uganda).

In the Favourite African Social Media Star category, social media sensation Elsa Majimbo (Kenya) is nominated alongside entrepreneur and media personality Bonang Matheba (South Africa), social media comedy group Ikorodu Bois (Nigeria), comedian and script-writer Emmanuella (Nigeria), social media magician Wiam Van den Berg (South Africa) and sensational youth dance group Ghetto Kids (Uganda).

Internationally acclaimed Jerusalema hitmaker MasterKG (South Africa) is nominated in the Global Music Star category, representing African music alongside fellow nominees: BTS (Asia), David Guetta (Europe), Savannah Clarke (Australia), Taylor Swift (North America) and Sebastian Yatra (Latin America).

Leading the pack with the most nods are: Justin Bieber with five; Stranger Things with four; and Ariana Grande, The Croods: A New Age, Henry Danger, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Soul, Trolls World Tour and Wonder Woman 1984, all tied with three nominations each. Musical performances will be announced shortly.

Fans can now cast votes on the official Kids’ Choice Awards website, KidsChoiceAwards, and on the Screens Up app on supported iPad, iPhone and Android devices in the U.S. International fans can cast votes through the Nick Play app in regions where it is available. Fans will also be able to cast their votes through social media on Twitter.

Thompson is no stranger to Nickelodeon, having won a coveted Kids’ Choice Awards orange blimp for “Favourite Male TV Star” for his work in Nickelodeon’s sketch comedy hit All That in 2000.

He was also nominated in that same category in 1998 alongside his longtime collaborator Kel Mitchell, who both serve as executive producers for the current iteration of All That which premiered in 2019.

Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021 is sponsored by Barbie®, Goldfish® Flavor Blasted® crackers, got milk? LEGO® VIDIYO™, Olive Garden®, and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury.

Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021 nominees are: 

Favourite African Star  

  • Zozibini Tunzi (South Africa)
  • Thuso Mbedu (South Africa)
  • Siya Kolisi (South Africa)
  • Mo Salah (Egypt)
  • Sadio Mane (Senegal)
  • Sheebah Karungi (Uganda)

Favourite African Social Media Star  

  • Elsa Majimbo (Kenya)
  • Bonang Matheba (South Africa)
  • Ikorodu Bois (Nigeria)
  • Emmanuella (Nigeria)
  • Wiam Van den Berg (South Africa)
  • Ghetto Kids (Uganda)

Favourite Global Music Star – Music  

  • BTS (Asia)
  • Savannah Clarke (Australia)
  • David Guetta (Europe)
  • Master KG (Africa)
  • Taylor Swift (North America)
  • Sebastián Yatra (Latin America)

TELEVISION: 

Favourite Kids Tv Show 

  • Alexa & Katie
  • Are You Afraid of the Dark?
  • Danger Force
  • Henry Danger
  • High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
  • Raven’s Home

Favourite Family Tv Show 

  • black-ish
  • Cobra Kai
  • Fuller House
  • The Mandalorian
  • Stranger Things
  • Young Sheldon

Favourite Reality Show 

  • America’s Got Talent
  • American Idol
  • American Ninja Warrior Junior
  • LEGO Masters
  • The Masked Singer
  • The Voice

Favourite Animated Series 

  • Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks
  • The Boss Baby: Back in Business
  • LEGO Jurassic World: Legend of Isla Nublar
  • The Loud House
  • SpongeBob SquarePants
  • Teen Titans Go!

Favourite Female Tv Star 

  • Ella Anderson (Piper Hart, Henry Danger)
  • Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven, Stranger Things)
  • Candace Cameron Bure (D.J. Tanner-Fuller, Fuller House)
  • Camila Mendes (Veronica Lodge, Riverdale)
  • Raven-Symoné (Raven Baxter, Raven’s Home)
  • Sofia Wylie (Gina, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series)

Favourite Male TV Star  

  • Iain Armitage (Sheldon Cooper, Young Sheldon)
  • Joshua Bassett (Ricky, High School Musical: The Musical Series)
  • Dylan Gilmer (Young Dylan, Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan)
  • Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair, Stranger Things)
  • Jace Norman (Henry Hart/Kid Danger, Henry Danger and Danger Force)
  • Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler, Stranger Things)

FILM: 

Favourite Movie 

  • Dolittle
  • Hamilton
  • Hubie Halloween
  • Mulan
  • Sonic the Hedgehog
  • Wonder Woman 1984

Favourite Movie Actress 

  • Millie Bobby Brown (Enola Holmes, Enola Holmes)
  • Gal Gadot (Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman 1984)
  • Anne Hathaway (Grand High Witch, The Witches)
  • Vanessa Hudgens (Princesses, The Princess Switch: Switched Again)
  • Yifei Liu (Mulan, Mulan)
  • Melissa McCarthy (Carol Peters, Superintelligence)

Favourite Movie Actor 

  • Jim Carrey (Dr. Robotnik, Sonic the Hedgehog)
  • Robert Downey Jr. (Dr. John Dolittle, Dolittle)
  • Will Ferrell (Lars Erickssong, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga)
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda (Alexander Hamilton, Hamilton)
  • Chris Pine (Steve Trevor, Wonder Woman 1984)
  • Adam Sandler (Hubie Dubois, Hubie Halloween)

Favourite Animated Movie 

  • Onward
  • The Croods: A New Age
  • Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe
  • Trolls World Tour
  • Scoob!
  • Soul

Favourite Voice From An Animated Movie 

  • Tina Fey (22, Soul)
  • Jamie Foxx (Joe Gardner, Soul)
  • Anna Kendrick (Poppy, Trolls World Tour)
  • Chris Pratt (Barley Lightfoot, Onward)
  • Ryan Reynolds (Guy, The Croods: A New Age)
  • Emma Stone (Eep, The Croods: A New Age)
  • Justin Timberlake (Branch, Trolls World Tour)

MUSIC: 

Favourite Female Artist

  • Beyoncé
  • Billie Eilish
  • Selena Gomez
  • Ariana Grande
  • Katy Perry
  • Taylor Swift

Favourite Male Artist 

  • Justin Bieber
  • Drake
  • Post Malone
  • Shawn Mendes
  • Harry Styles
  • The Weeknd

Favourite Music Group 

  • Black Eyed Peas
  • BLACKPINK
  • BTS
  • Jonas Brothers
  • Maroon 5
  • OneRepublic

Favourite Music Collaboration 

  • “Be Kind” – Marshmello & Halsey
  • “Holy” – Justin Bieber ft. Chance the Rapper
  • “Ice Cream” – BLACKPINK & Selena Gomez
  • “Lonely” – Justin Bieber & benny blanco
  • “Rain on Me” – Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande
  • “Stuck with U” – Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber

Favourite Song 

  • “Blinding Lights” The Weeknd
  • “Cardigan” by Taylor Swift
  • “Dynamite” by BTS
  • “Toosie Slide” by Drake
  • “Wonder” by Shawn Mendes
  • “Yummy” by Justin Bieber

Favourite Global Music Star 

  • BTS (Asia)
  • Savannah Clarke (Australia)
  • David Guetta (Europe)
  • Master KG (Africa)
  • Taylor Swift (North America)
  • Sebastián Yatra (Latin America)

OTHER CATEGORIES: 

Favourite Female Social Star 

  • Emma Chamberlain
  • Charli D’Amelio
  • GamerGirl
  • Addison Rae
  • JoJo Siwa
  • Maddie Ziegler

Favourite Male Social Star 

  • James Charles
  • Jason Derulo
  • David Dobrik
  • MrBeast
  • Ninja
  • Ryan’s World

Favourite Female Sports Star 

  • Simone Biles
  • Alex Morgan
  • Naomi Osaka
  • Candace Parker
  • Megan Rapinoe
  • Serena Williams

Favourite Male Sports Star 

  • Tom Brady
  • Stephen Curry
  • LeBron James
  • Patrick Mahomes
  • Lionel Messi
  • Russell Wilson

Favourite Video Game 

  • Among Us
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons
  • Fortnite
  • Minecraft
  • Pokémon GO
  • Roblox

Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2021 is produced by Nickelodeon Productions and overseen by Rob Bagshaw, Executive Vice President, Unscripted Content. Michael Dempsey serves as executive producer, with Amy Johnson and Magda Liolis serving as co-executive producers. Nickelodeon’s Unscripted Content executives Rob Bagshaw and Paul J Medford also serve as executive producers. The ceremony is directed by Glenn Weiss.

Thompson stars in and executive produces the new NBC comedy Kenan, premiering Feb. 16 at 8:30 p.m. He is currently in his 18th season on Saturday Night Live as the show’s longest-running cast member. He has made numerous contributions to SNL with his slew of hilarious impressions that include Rev. Al Sharpton, Charles Barkley, Steve Harvey and David Ortiz, and memorable.