UBA Supports Creative Industry With Redtv’s New Series Assistant Madams (Photos)

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UBA Supports Creative Industry With Redtv’s New Series Assistant Madams (Photos)

REDTV, the foremost lifestyle platform powered by the United Bank for Africa, has just launched its new and very much anticipated series, Assistant Madams. Creators of the hit series, The Men’s Club, REDTV has been engaging and providing opportunities for talented youths in the creative industry in Africa, since its inception.

 The crème de la crème of the entertainment industry gathered at the prestigious and newly opened, Ebony Life Place in the bustling city of Lagos, to watch the premiere of Assistant madams. The story revolves around the life of three aspiring female Lagos socialites and their journey to ‘big girl’ status.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Producer of REDTV, Bola Atta said “REDTV was birthed by the United Bank for Africa, to support the creative industry in Nigeria and also across the African continent. For about four years now, we have been creating employment through entertainment. The potential revenue that can be generated in this industry is often underestimated and it is only in recent times that more people have had the courage to leave traditional professions and embrace the creatives. We want to encourage talented and creative professionals to pursue their dreams and to confidently feel that they are contributing to economic growth’.

‘The vision of UBA is to support entrepreneurship across Africa and through REDTV, the bank is connecting African talent to the world. REDTV will continue to harness these talents and to provide opportunities for those who wish to pursue careers in the creative industry’ Atta said.
Also speaking at the launch of Assistant madams, Co-producer and director, Tola Odunsi and Akins Akinkugbe expressed their delight at the reception which the new series is receiving. ’’We are pleased to partner with UBA and REDTV to create top-quality content and jobs. Assistant madams alone employed over 120 people during the filming of the series and this is significant’.
In attendance at the event, were Chris Ubosi, Mo Abudu, veteran photographer Kelechi Amadi Obi, Sola Sobowole, Patrick Doyle, Noble Igwe, Juliet Ibrahim, Toke Makinwa, Uru Eke, Obi Asika, Koye Sowemimo, Debola Williams, Sharon Ooja, Bollylomo,  Funke Babs Kufreji, Obi Asika, Bisola Aiyeola, Osas Ighodaro, Tana Adelana, Sophie Alakija, Taymesan Emmanuel, Ayo Ayoola, Efa Iwara, and many noteworthy entertainers.
Assistant Madams will premiere on Youtube @itsredtv on January 15, 2020.
REDTV is a fast-paced lifestyle channel that puts Africa on the global stage. Proudly powered by the United Bank for Africa, the network is an entertainment platform with rich content that features the very best of Africa.

4 Tips To Improving Your Career Outlook In 2020

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4 Tips To Improving Your Career Outlook In 2020

Self-improvement is about developing healthy habits – including ways to improve your career path.

The New Year is a great time for self-improvement. Along with your personal goals, ManpowerGroup South Africa’s Managing Director Lyndy van den Barselaar, suggests that you include ways to keep learning to enhance your abilities, boost your job prospects and get more accomplished in your current role.

“Besides focusing on skills development and learnability, there are other easy ways that job seekers can dedicate time to reaching their career goals in the short term,” she says. Van den Barselaar provides the following tips for those looking to improve their career outlook in 2020.

  1. Put planning on your calendar – Just as you have to make exercise a priority by setting time aside, you need to book planning for your future career on your calendar.

    “Set aside 30 minutes of undisturbed time and write down all the things you want to accomplish in your work-life. Do this exercise once a month to check in on your short and long-term goals. Putting these goals down on paper will ensure you remain focused on what is important to you, and keep you moving towards these goals,” she says.

  2. Optimise your CV – As the New Year starts, take the time to review your CV and consider ways to optimise it for the role/s you are looking to fulfil. This could include developing a video-based visual CV, syncing your CV with your LinkedIn profile, digitising your CV or even simply optimising it with the right keywords.
  3. Improve your communication skills – With the rise of social media and texting, communication is becoming more casual even in situations where formal communication is required.

    “When you take a look at the greatest leaders, one of the traits they possess is the ability to communicate effectively. The good news is that ‘soft’ skills like communication and social skills can be developed and nurtured. Take the initiative to work on these skills, as they are often considered important to potential employers,” says van den Barselaar.

  4. Become a mentor – Being a mentor can go a long way in developing your own leadership and communication skills. If you want to be a mentor, finding the right mentee is a lot like the other side of the equation. Network and talk to key people in your company, educational institution or community about the type of person you would like to mentor – and be specific.

    “As you transfer your skills and experience in developing talent within your organisation, you are sure to learn important lessons about yourself and your career path while making a difference to someone else’s. This is a win-win situation,” says van den Barselaar.

    “As the New Year begins, remember to pay close attention to your specific goals as a professional and take small steps to reach these each day. Small steps lead to big progress in the long run,” concludes van den Barselaar.

Sanwo-Olu Reshuffles Cabinet, Welcomes new Members

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Sanwo-Olu Reshuffles Cabinet, Welcomes new Members

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced a minor cabinet reshuffle, with the appointment of three new members.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Gboyega Akosile said eight cabinet portfolios affected by the redeployment include ministries of Local Government, Ministry of Special Duties, Wealth Creation and Employment, Tourism, Arts and Culture, Home Affairs as well as Waterfront Infrastructure. Others are the Central Business District and Urban Development.

According to Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu has moved three commissioners around, while two Special Advisers have been assigned new roles as commissioners. Affected commissioners and their new portfolios are: Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed who has now been moved to Local Government and Community Affairs; Mrs Yetunde Arobieke, formerly Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs has been moved to the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.

Also, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf has been moved from the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture as Honourable Commissioner.

Two former Special Advisers, Prince Anofiu Elegushi and Architect Kabiru Ahmed are now assigned to the Ministries of Home Affairs and Waterfront Infrastructure as Honourable Commissioners respectively.

The Governor, according to Akosile also announced portfolios of the new cabinet members. They are Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, Commissioner-designate (Special Duties), Mr Oyerinde Olugbenga Olanrewaju, Special Adviser-designate (Central Business District) and Hon. Ayuba Ganiu Adele, Special Adviser-designate (Urban Development).

Governor Sanwo-Olu thanked members of the Lagos State House of Assembly for believing in the Executive and carrying out the ratification of the cabinet nominees in a manner devoid of mere political considerations other than the interests of the electorate, assuring that his action is in line with his administration’s vision of delivering good governance to the residents of Lagos.

The new appointments and redeployments, Sanwo-Olu said are intended to create new energy and vivacity for the continued delivery of values to the government of Lagos and provision of service to millions of Lagosians.

Lagos Partners training Firm to prepare Graduates for Future of Work

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Lagos Partners training Firm to prepare Graduates for Future of Work

Lagos State Government on Thursday said that there is need for a change of approach to employment opportunities among job seekers in order to meet the present-day realities and demands in the labour market.

The Acting Commissioner, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Solape Hammond stated this while addressing a group of young graduates at a two-day “Work Conference 2020” organised by the Ministry, in collaboration with 1st CRT Management Services, at Alausa, Ikeja.

Mrs Hammond observed that the realisation of the need to bridge the unemployment gap in the State informed the decision of the present administration to partner a training consultancy firm, 1st CRT Management Services, to further prepare young graduates for employment opportunities by enhancing their skills and harnessing their potentials.

“The current model of education, career planning and job searching need a facelift. Considering the dynamism in the global labour market, workers need not wait till the shift arises before learning and teaching the new rules of success, which requires workforce to be proactive and strategic in thinking”, Hammond stated.

Represented at the event by the Director of Employment in the Ministry, Mrs. Iyabo Seriki-Bello, the Acting Commissioner disclosed that the partnership would further aid the realisation of the objectives of the present administration as enunciated in its T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.

In her words, “The Ministry was particularly delighted to support this programme that aligns with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda pillar of making Lagos a 21st-Century Economy.”

While underscoring the importance of technology to job search, Hammond stated that in preparing young people for future work, due recognition must be given to the wave of technological breakthroughs, stressing that “We can’t fight innovation or disruption, what we can do is to change with time to be relevant”.

She maintained that as much as there is a high rate of unemployment in the country today, there also exists job vacancies in many organisations for only qualified individuals.

Hammond attributed this development to lack of possession of employability skills on the part of jobseekers; a mismatch between demand for labour and the ability of applicants; lack of information on job existence; jobs concentrated in urban centres; outdated school curricula which lack entrepreneurship skills content to prepare graduates for self-employment, among several others.

She promised that the workshop would equip the participants with requisite technological-know-how, skills, comportment and confidence that would, in turn, make them irresistible to any employer of labour.

The Acting Commissioner explained that the State Government, through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment as well as Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), recognised these challenges and provided a wide range of youth developmental initiatives to address the issue of unemployment and empower young graduates.

She listed some of the initiatives to include the Creation of five Job Registration/Labour Exchange Centres, one in each division of the State; Creation of Yaba ICT Hub; various Employability Training Programmes; Lagos Innovates; Access to Fund for entrepreneurs by LSETF; and many others.

The CEO of 1st CRT Management Services, Mrs. Folayemi Olaitan, said that the programme, Work Conference 2020 themed, “Rethinking Education and the Future of Work” is an initiative aimed at promoting employability and vocational skills for Nigerian Youths through Training, Job Fairs, Internship, Career Development and Leadership Skills.

She disclosed that the organisation could only accommodate 500 beneficiaries out of over 1000 applicants who registered for the programme, stressing that this shows the rate at which people, especially young graduates, are desirous of seeking careers or businesses for themselves.

Olaitan, however, called on well-meaning Nigerians and institutions to consider investing in human capacity development through collaborations with the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.

Nokia and Angola Cables trial the first direct optical connection between USA and Africa with PSE-3 chipset

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Nokia and Angola Cables trial the first direct optical connection between USA and Africa with PSE-3 chipset
  • The South Atlantic Cable System (SACS) provides direct, low-latency trans-Atlantic routing to better serve rapidly growing data consumption markets in Africa
  • Nokia’s PSE-3 chipset maximizes capacity and performance to meet surging video, cloud and eventual 5G traffic demands.

Nokia has announced that Angola Cables is trialling Nokia’s Photonic Service Engine 3 (PSE-3) chipset for the first direct optical connection between the USA and Africa. The route provides direct, low-latency trans-Atlantic routing and greatly simplifies the turn-up of services to better serve rapidly growing data consumption markets in Africa.

Subsea fibre-optic cables form the backbone of the global internet, connecting countries and continents across vast trans-oceanic distances. The new services leverage the interconnection of two existing subsea cable systems – SACS (South Atlantic Cable System) and MONET. SACS, owned and managed by Angola Cables, operates between Fortaleza, Brazil and Luanda, Angola and is connected to AngoNAP Datacenter. The consortium-owned MONET connects Santos/Fortaleza with Florida/USA.

Combining SACS and MONET subsea systems in this joint trial allow for the first time 300 Gbps of traffic between Miami and Luanda.

The test adds more capacity to an already low latency network. Lower-latency network connections improve performance and user experience in applications such as cloud computing and content consumption. According to the ITU, sub-Sarahan Africa has recorded the highest growth in internet use globally over the past decade, from under 10% of the population in 2010, to over 28% in 2019. Enhanced subsea connectivity is crucial for access to global content and services of this growing user base.

The subsea wavelengths were deployed with Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Interconnect (PSI) data center interconnect (DCI) platform utilizing the PSE-3. The 1830 PSI provisioned optical wavelengths at 300 Gbps using probabilistic constellation shaping (PCS) to optimally shape the signals to the specific characteristics of the 12,635 km cable, achieve operation near the theoretical limits of the system.

Fernando Azevedo, Technical Director at Angola Cables, said: “With Nokia’s PSE-3, Angola Cables can optically interconnect the MONET and SACS submarine fiber optic cables, enabling more capacity and a further reduction in latency between content providers in North America and the rapidly growing data consumption markets in Africa.”

Sam Bucci, Head of Optical Networking at Nokia, said: “Africa is a strategic growth market for Nokia across both our core CSP and webscale businesses. We are proud to partner with Angola Cables to apply our ground-breaking PSE-3 technology to a unique and challenging subsea route, helping to deliver enhanced services to a rapidly developing part of the world.”

About Angola Cables

Angola Cables is a multinational company operating in the global ICT marketplace providing tailored connectivity solutions for the wholesale and corporate segments. With a robust subsea cable infrastructure and highly interconnected IP network, Angola Cables offers customers greater access to the world’s largest IXP´s, Tier 1 operators and global content providers.

Through SACS, Monet and WACS submarine cable systems the company directly connects the Americas, Africa, and Europe and has established partnerships to reach Asia. Angola Cables’ manages the Tier III Data Center AngoNAP Fortaleza (Brazil) and the Data Center AngoNAP Luanda (Angola) as well as the PIX facility in Brazil and Angonix – one of the largest Internet Exchange Points (IXP’s) in Africa.

Porsche increases number of deliveries in 2019 by ten percent

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Porsche increases number of deliveries in 2019 by ten percent

Vehicles produced by the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer are more popular than ever: in 2019 Porsche delivered 280,800 vehicles to its customers – ten percent more than in the previous year.

The Cayenne and Macan model series, in particular, saw significant growth: the Cayenne was delivered 92,055 times worldwide, an increase of 29 percent year-on-year. The current model has been available on all markets since 2019, as a plug-in hybrid since recently. Spring also saw the market introduction of the Cayenne Coupé, a further, even sportier derivative. A total of 99,944 Macan vehicles were delivered to customers – an increase of 16 percent compared with 2018.

“We are delighted about this great result, which shows the worldwide customer excitement for our sports cars and we are also proud that we have further strengthened the appeal of our brand and the customer experience with new approaches,” says Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “We are optimistic that we can maintain the high levels of demand in 2020 – also thanks to a host of new models and full order books for the Taycan.”

Strongest growth in Germany and Europe

On the company’s domestic market and throughout the European market, Porsche generated the strongest growth in 2019 with a plus of 15 percent in each case. 31,618 vehicles were delivered in Germany and 88,975 vehicles throughout Europe. The sports car manufacturer also recorded an increase in its two largest markets. In China, 86,752 vehicles were handed over to customers, amounting an increase of eight percent compared with 2018. In the USA, Porsche also grew its delivery figures by eight percent to 61,568. Consequently, the sports car manufacturer defied the trend towards a weakening overall economic climate in both markets. 116,458 Porsche vehicles were delivered to customers in the Asia-Pacific, Africa and Middle East regions – an increase of seven percent compared with 2018.

LASEMA is prepared for 21st Century Waterways Rescue, says DG

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LASEMA is prepared for 21st Century Waterways Rescue, says DG

The Director-General of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu has assured residents and commuters using the state waterways that water transportation is now safer in Lagos with the procurement of ten rescue boats for swift emergency response on waterways.

Speaking during the launch of Marine Rescue Unit of the agency on Thursday at the Lagos Central Zone Unit of LASEMA by Admiralty Way, Lekki, the Director-General of the agency said that investors can now have confidence in investing in the State as they are now bettered assured of the safety of their lives and investments.

‘We have purchased sophisticated equipment comprising of rescue boats, ambulance boat to ensure safety on our waterways. We have heavy-duty equipment and light-duty equipment on our roads to ensure the safety of lives of over 20million estimated residents of Lagos State.’’

He said that the state government was now better prepared than before to explore the competitive advantage of using the waterways as an alternative mode of transportation that is fast, efficient, safe and reliable.

In his words, “Three-quarter of Lagos State is made up of water body, we have efficient, effective waterway authority, but today we are opening our Marine Rescue Unit. Our Sharks Base will be the headquarters of the Marine rescue unit of LASEMA while we will be operating from four jetties namely: Ikorodu, Ijegun-Egba, Ilaje-Bariga and Lekki. In Lagos, we have 26 jetties and 5 terminals and over 100 operators.”

He added that the available statistics which shows that over 70,000 commuters transit the waterways daily while 1.5million people use the waterways monthly across Fifteen LGAs/LCDAs accessible through the waterways, this he said, makes it more compelling for government to ensure that Lagosians travel through the waterways safely.

He promised that regardless of the means of transportation either commuting on the road or water, LASEMA would ensure the safety of commuters always.

Oke-Osanyintolu added that apart from the newly procured boats, the agencies had also acquired drones to monitor happenings on the waterways with a view to ensuring quicker response.

Also speaking, the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, (LASWA) Mr Damilola Emmanuel, reiterated a cordial working synergy with LASEMA in making the waterways safe for the residents of Lagos, adding that more vessels would be deployed to the waterways as the year progresses.

According to him, “we are going to be seeing better vessels this year while we will accommodate the existing operators and promote private operators. You are going to be seeing the patrol and rescue boats on the waterways. You are going to be seeing the upgrading of the infrastructure as well.”

Sanwo-Olu approves quality guidelines to engender Safe Water Consumption

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Sanwo-Olu approves quality guidelines to engender Safe Water Consumption

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has endorsed guidelines to standardise the production of drinking and packaged water quality in Lagos State.

The approved standards are in consonance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on improved Clean Water and Sanitation.

Executive Secretary of Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC), Mrs Funke Femi Adepoju, who disclosed this during separate stakeholders’ meetings with the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) and Nigeria Water and Sanitation Association (NIWASA), said the guidelines would go a long way in assisting operators in the water production, distribution and sale industry to achieve global best practices.

According to Adepoju, a recent report of the World Health Organisation indicated that 3.4 million people, mostly children, die annually from water-related diseases, adding that government is committed to promoting good water resource management, access to safe water and a secured environment through a regulatory framework which seeks to ensure service providers adhere to quality standards.

While noting that the meeting with stakeholders became imperative for inclusiveness, Adepoju said in view of the challenges of access to potable water for residents, alternatives and an enabling environment are being encouraged by the State Government.

The President of ATWAP, Alhaji Adeoye commended the leadership of the Commission for engaging the Association, saying that the group is ready to partner with the government to sanitise activities of members in line with regulatory provisions.

He, however, implored the State government to support the association as well as profer solutions to some of their grievances.

Also speaking, NIWASA President, Mr Dayo Adesuyi commended the new leadership of the Commission for its efforts so far in regulating the industry and expressed the readiness of the Association to collaborate with the Commission to protect groundwater and ensure consumption of safe water by residents.

He said NIWASA is a body made up of professionals in the water industry including geologists, chemical engineers, water treatment experts, mining engineers, among others, disclosing that various areas of collaboration with the government have been identified to regulate the industry for achieving the best practices.

Drama Likely As Real Madrid Captain Sergio Ramos Faces Former Club Sevilla In Saturday’s LaLiga Clash

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Drama Likely As Real Madrid Captain Sergio Ramos Faces Former Club Sevilla In Saturday’s LaLiga Clash

The memories will come flowing back for Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos as he faces his old club Sevilla in Saturday afternoon’s LaLiga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. Only his painful ankle could avoid one of the most specials games in the season for one of the most iconic footballers of Spanish football.

This fixture is also always extra special for Ramos, who started his career at Sevilla’s Sanchez Pizjuan, and has had a sometimes complicated relationship with his hometown club since leaving for the capital in August 2005.

Born in Camas, a dormitory suburb of the Andalusian capital, Ramos entered Sevilla’s youth system early. He was quickly earmarked for success due to his clear mix of technical and physical gifts and had just turned 18 when he made his LaLiga debut in April 2004 at RC Deportivo.

The youngster had secured a regular spot in Sevilla’sdefence by the end of that campaign, with fellow local lad Jesus Navas also breaking into the first team around the same time. Ramos’ first LaLiga goal came that September, in a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad at the Sanchez-Pizjuan, while the following April he scored a long-range screamer in a 2-2 draw at home to future club Real Madrid.

Since his summer 2005 transfer to Madrid, Ramos has since faced Sevilla 26 times in LaLiga, with 16 wins for Los Blancos and 10 victories for Los Rojiblancos.

Ramos’ first goal against Sevilla came at the Bernabeu in March 2010, helping Real Madrid come from 0-2 down to win 3-2. May 2011’s trip home must have been bittersweet as he scored in a 6-2 victory for his team.

Ramos would have enjoyed his visits to the Sanchez-Pizjuan less as Real Madrid lost for four consecutive LaLiga seasons from 2015/16 until 2018/19. Particularly painful was an own goal equaliser in January 2017 as Sevilla came from behind to win 2-1, ending an unbeaten run of40 games during one-time teammate Zinedine Zidane’s first spell as coach. That month also saw Ramos convert a late ‘panenka’ penalty during a highly entertaining albeit charged 3-3 cup draw.

Ramos has also faced his old club twice in the European Super Cup after Real Madrid had won the Champions League and Sevilla the Europa League. Los Blancos won both the 2014 and 2017 meetings, with the latter game featuring a trademark late headed equaliser from Ramos to force extra-time just as Sevilla were preparing to celebrate the trophy.

Through all the drama, the now 33-year-old has maintained a very strong connection with his home city. Recent years have seen him purchase a stud farm and country retreat nearby which he regularly visits with his family. He also has a close bond with current Sevilla coach JulenLopetegui, having worked with the Basque tactician with both Spain and Real Madrid.

Saturday afternoon at the Bernabeu should, therefore, be an emotional occasion for Ramos, especially during the coin toss with his old teammate and still Spain international colleague Jesus Navas. Old friendships and allegiances will be put aside for the 90 minutes and, from what history has told us, further drama and excitement looks certain. Only the clash Sergio Ramos suffered during the last Real game, with his ankle suffering massive pain, could avoid one of the most specials LaLiga reencounters.

LASG installs 2,000 Okada, Tricycle Restriction Signs on Major Highways, Bridges

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LASG installs 2,000 Okada, Tricycle Restriction Signs on Major Highways, Bridges

In a renewed effort towards creating awareness on the Lagos State Traffic Laws on restricted areas for the operation of motorcycles popularly called Okada and tricycles known as Keke, the Lagos State Government has commenced the installation of 2,000 prohibition signs across the metropolis.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde disclosed that a good number of the road signs indicate restricted areas, warning that anyone that violates the law after this effort would be punished in accordance with the law.

Oladeinde explained that the road signs have been mounted on major highways including the Third Mainland Bridge, Agege Motor Road, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos-Badagry Expressway and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to create awareness on restricted routes for Okadas and Tricycles as prescribed by the State Government.

“We have successfully placed road signs on the Third Mainland Bridge, Agege Motor Road, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and other places to indicate areas that motorcyclists and tricycles are restricted and we urge that they comply for the safety of their lives and members of the public as we will apply the law on any erring Okada rider that violates our law”, the Commissioner warned.

He explained further that motorcycle and tricycle operations remain restricted on highways and bridges in all the Local Government areas including Apapa, Ikeja, Ikoyi, Surulere, Eti-Osa and Lagos Island, adding that same would be done in other areas in order to ensure that road safety culture is engraved in the consciousness of road users across the State.

The Commissioner, however, urged Lagosians to support the State government’s initiatives to tackle traffic gridlock in the metropolis, as it will provide faster results in decongesting the highways of traffic and create a seamless movement of goods and services towards improving the local economy.

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