Taiwo Agboola Named CEO Of 7even Interactive

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Taiwo Agboola Named CEO Of 7even Interactive

Award-Winning Marketing and Creative Advertising Agency, 7even Interactive has announced the appointment of Taiwo Agboola as its Chief Executive Officer. Before his new appointment which takes effect January 1, 2020, Taiwo was the company’s, Chief Operating Officer.

As CEO, Taiwo will oversee the processes at 7even Interactive and drive the business to achieve and surpass business goals. He will spearhead the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes at 7even Interactive.

Bringing his over 15 years cumulative experience and expertise in the advertising industry to bear on his new role at 7even Interactive, Taiwo will lead the team to take giant strides in advertising, marketing, digital marketing and media buying.

Reacting to his new appointment and the successes 7even Interactive has enjoyed in the recent past, Taiwo said, “As an agency, we have come a long way. And as our house grows, it has become inevitable to restructure our operations. To this end, the board of directors of 7even Interactive has entrusted me with the role of Chief Executive Officer. It’s a new day for us at 7even Interactive, we have achieved so much and we have the opportunity to do so much more.”

Prior to 7even Interactive, Taiwo had worked with 141 Worldwide Ltd., ZK Advertising Nigeria, FK: G2 and Insight Communication Ltd., servicing clients in sectors such as fast-moving consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications and media among many others.

7even Interactive is a full-service marketing communication agency with a speciality in advertising, digital services, and media strategy implementation with a mission to help companies and individuals grow and nurture their brand with well-crafted marketing communications.

Founded in 2014, 7even Interactive is one of the youngest agencies in the industry with a clientele that includes Hero Beer, Fidelity Bank, Uber, Power Oil and Regal Gin, among others.

In 2017, 7even Interactive recorded an unprecedented feat as the only 2017 Loeries Award winner to emerge in the entire West African sub-region. The winning work tagged “FrixionVodka” at the annual awards in Durban, South Africa, was a self-funded and very impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative against RAPE, a global social menace.

Ondo NAWOJ Takes Up Education Of Ten Indigent School Girls

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Ondo NAWOJ Takes Up Education Of Ten Indigent School Girls

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ in Ondo state, have taken up the responsibility of paying the school fees of ten indigent secondary school girls.

Chairperson of the Association Mrs Doris Olumoko made the commitment at the Amakom Youth Education and Empowerment Foundation held in Umueri, Anambra State.

The gesture which is in tandem with one of the goals of NAWOJ, is aimed at reducing the high rate of school dropouts in some parts of Anambra State and ensure that young girls are Educationally Empowered so as to become Economically relevant in future.

Mrs Olumoko said that NAWOJ pursues vigorously, issues that affect the wellbeing of girls and women adding that women journalists will continue to commit resources to the development of the female gender.

“This is just the beginning of many more to come. We will still do more in this regard. Beyond payment of school fees, we will also work out the possibility of assisting in the enrollment of some of these girls for External Examinations because we were told that most of their parents cannot afford the cost hence another reason for school dropouts”

The Ondo NAWOJ Chairperson, Mrs Doris Olumoko explained, that the gesture will be extended to Ondo State after research on salient areas of need which they intend to carry out beyond payment of school fees. “

She commended the Amakom Youth Education and Empowerment Foundation for bridging the gap and taking up the responsibility of Educational needs of a huge number of secondary school students in Omabala area of Anambra state.

Stanbic IBTC Ushers Students “Back to School” With Ease

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Stanbic IBTC Ushers Students “Back to School” With Ease

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC has announced its array of exciting products and services specially designed to make the Back to School season stress-free for parents and guardians.

 

As a one-stop-shop financial services organisation, Stanbic IBTC has a range of products and services that can give wings to the dreams of children and make paying school fees and purchasing back-to-school ‘must-haves’ more seamless for parents and guardians.

 

For one, parents can access funds conveniently using Stanbic Salary Advance (SALAD), a personal overdraft service tailored to meet cash flow needs for salary earners, you can visit  www.stanbicibtc.com/Nigeria/Individual/Borrowing/Salary-Advance to learn how to access this service. Payments can also be made with ease during the Back to School Season using any one of the Stanbic IBTC Bank’s seamless channels: Internet Banking, #Appyness Mobile App or using a Naira Debit Card on POS.

 

Are you already sorted for this back-to-school season? If yes, then think CHESS. The Children Educational Savings Scheme (CHESS) account from Stanbic IBTC allows parents to invest in their wards’ education while kick-starting their financial journey. The CHESS account offers a higher interest rate than what is earned on regular savings account and it is available to children aged 0 to 17 years with additional benefits for parents who own Stanbic IBTC bank accounts. More details on how to access this solution can be found at www.stanbicibtc.com/Nigeria/Individual/Saving-and-investing/Children-Education-Savings-Scheme.

 

For parents who prefer to plan their children’s education well-out in advance, Stanbic IBTC can help SET you up! The Stanbic IBTC Education Trust is designed to help parents fund their wards’ education through a plan that is convenient and flexible and offers long-term benefits. Stanbic IBTC Trustees Limited scientifically estimates the cost of education using key economic parameters and then offers parents/guardians flexible contribution options to select from, in planning how to fund their wards’ education now and in later years. This webpage offers more details on how to access the solution – www.stanbicibtctrustees.com/nigeriatrustees/Estate-Planning/Educational-Trust.

 

According to Wole Adeniyi, Deputy Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, “With Stanbic IBTC holdings as your financial partner, Back to School preparations are not only easy and seamless for parents and guardians but also exciting and memorable for their children and wards. As schools commence the new term, Stanbic IBTC customers can send their children back to school with minimal fuss, thanks to the support we provide. As a financial institution that understands the desire of parents to freely give their children’s dreams wings to fly, the bank remains committed to driving ease and convenience for all its customers.”

Global Economy: Navigating The World’s New Economic Milieu

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Global Economy: Navigating The World’s New Economic Milieu

Away from a synchronized growth story in 2018, economic themes in the global space such as rising trade protectionism, political discord, inter-regional conflicts and reactive policy responses, gave birth to the world’s new economic milieu – “uncertainty”. As a result, global economic growth in 2019 tilted towards a synchronized slowdown, as growth in some major Advanced Economies (AEs) and Emerging Markets (EMs) decelerated.

Manufacturing and trade sectors were the most impaired by general policy uncertainty, as global manufacturing PMI remained in the contractionary region and growth in world merchandise trade for H1-19 stood at 0.6% y/y, its weakest level in recent years. According to the IMF, global growth for 2019 is projected to slow to 3.0%y/y amid slower growth in AEs and key EM economies.

In 2020, the IMF forecasts global growth to be stronger at 3.4% y/y, driven by recoveries across EMs, which are projected at 4.6% y/y. On the other hand, AEs are expected to slow to 1.7% y/y. No doubt, the IMF’s forecast is a sweeter tale than 2019. Though, it remains below the 5-year and 20- year average of 3.41% and 3.8% respectively, indicating a gap from long-term potential. Bearing the above in mind, the global economy is stuck between two possibilities; the first is that of an unsynchronized rebound, to be driven by easy monetary policy, improved trade relations, a more supportive fiscal policy and recovery in emerging market economies. The second possibility remains a broad-based weaker growth if the factors above fail to materialize.

United Capital Research

Innovative Cantonese restaurant PLAY Dim Sum opens in Ho Chi Minh City

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Innovative Cantonese restaurant PLAY Dim Sum opens in Ho Chi Minh City

The stylish Hong Kong dim sum restaurant brings playful, photogenic dishes to the heart of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City’s most vibrant neighborhood

 

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach – 7 January 2020 – PLAY Dim Sum, an innovative new Hong Kong dim
sum restaurant created and managed by Vietnam Cuisine Alternative Holdings Ltd,
is celebrating its grand opening with a party this Saturday, January 11, 2020 in
Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1. Set in the heart of this vibrant commercial and dining
district, PLAY Dim Sum takes Cantonese cuisine to new heights with a winning
combination of authentic flavors, playful ideas and masterful techniques.

 

To celebrate the opening, PLAY Dim Sum
is delighted to offer a cash voucher of VND100,000 to each table when diners collectively
spend over VDN1,200,000 at the restaurant between January 6 and March 31, 2020.
Each table can get a maximum of two VDN100,000 vouchers.  In addition, every customer will take home a coupon
calendar filled with enticing monthly deals when they dine at the restaurant
during the opening month of January.

 

Building on Cantonese traditions, PLAY Dim Sum’s chefs love to
play with unconventional ingredients — such as Italian black truffle, balsamic
vinegar and okra — and create unexpected flavor combinations. Offering updated
takes on the classics, signature dishes like spicy beef shanks paired
with frozen watermelon promises a delicious balance of fiery and
cooling flavors; a two-bite, de-boned pork knuckle and okra ball comes
packed with collagen; our lobster cheese puff features a flaky,
buttery exterior (naturally colored with carrot juice) stuffed with juicy lobster
and prawn meat; and our truffle mushroom buns topped with cocoa
powder are prepared with exceptional ingredients and expert techniques.
 

 

PLAY Dim Sum also spoils little
foodies with hand-crafted edible animal characters, such as our ‘3 Little
Piggies‘ house-made barbeque pork buns; adorable ‘Quack like a
Duck’ buns, made with shredded duck and house-made hoisin
sauce; and too-cute sago pudding with bear-shaped cookies.

 

Stretching across three stories, the
restaurant’s interior design is as refreshing and playful as the cuisine,
featuring gracefully arching French windows, black-and-white tiled floors, lots
of natural light and a warm, convivial vibe. On the ground floor, an open
kitchen turns a spotlight on PLAY Dim Sum’s talented chefs who knead fresh
dough into delicious dim sum art.

 

Upstairs, guests feel right at
home in the spacious, light-filled main dining room while a large private room caters
to corporate events, family gatherings and ‘just because’ celebrations. Ideal
for District 1’s afterwork crowd, the airy third floor is home to a relaxed bar
and cafe with versatile, comfy seating and a social ping pong table. Not only
can guests unwind over cocktails and coffee — or a few games of table tennis —
but this is also the perfect spot for brunch, lunch and afternoon tea.

 

NOTES TO EDITORS: 

 

PLAY Dim Sum

Address:                              12-14
Thai Van Lung, Ward Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Opening Hours:                 Monday
to Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Hotline:                                088
865 9099

Email:                                    booking@playdimsum.com

 

Stay
up to date with PLAY Dim Sum by following our social media channels: 

Facebook:
          https://www.facebook.com/playdimsum

Instagram:
          https://www.instagram.com/playdimsum/

Hashtag:
             #playdimsum

 

Hi-res
images can be downloaded from https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ahcd5c81oyuy4km/AAAhalB2x-_BlQYKSVSzFzPXa?dl=0. 

Akeredolu signs N187billion 2020 budget into law

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Akeredolu signs N187billion 2020 budget into law

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has signed the 2020 appropriation bill into law.

Education has the largest percentage of the budget provision, followed by infrastructure.

The Governor said the 2020 budget christened ‘Budget of Growth’, passed by the State House of Assembly, provides for aggregate expenditures of N187,858,525,273.00.

He said the amount is divided into N10.508 billion, representing 5.6% for Debt Servicing, N14,180 billion representing 7.6 % as Statutory Transfers to Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) and 10% share of Independent Revenue to Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) of Local Governments in the State.

According to the Governor, the sums of N82.700 billion and N80.470 billion, representing 44.1% and42.7% are for Recurrent Expenditure and Capital Development respectively.

Arakunrin Akeredolu explained that the policy directions of the budget are largely the products of the inputs garnered during Town Hall meetings with various stakeholders across the State and the 5-point development agenda (the Blueprint to Progress) of his administration.

The Governor, who identified unavailability and inadequacy of required funds as one of the key challenges to budget implementation, said his administration has designed many ingenious and innocuous ways of bringing in more prospective payers into the tax net.

He said: ”One of the key challenges to budget implementation is unavailability and inadequacy of required funds. This is as a result of the recurring dwindling Ondo State’s share of the Federation Account. This is occasioned by a fall in oil revenue which incidentally, and regrettably too, provides over 80% of the country’s revenue receipts.

“The Independent Revenue, even though has increased substantially since the inception of our administration, has not grown to the level of delivering the State from depending on Federal Transfers.”

The Governor called on the good people of the State, both in the public and private sectors, Donor Partners, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and others to join hands with the Government in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of this budget in order to achieve the desired economic growth that would engender human capital development and emancipation of the people.

Arakunrin Akeredolu thanked members of the state House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oloyelogun for the detailed scrutiny and passage of the budget in record time.

Outlook & Investment Strategies for 2020

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Outlook & Investment Strategies for 2020

Executive Summary

International Monetary Fund projects global output to grow by 3.4% in 2020, higher than 3.0% forecast for 2019. The Bretton Woods institution predicated its global growth forecast on increased output in emerging and developing economies, especially in Asia and Europe, which are currently witnessing strong domestic demand and rising wages amid monetary and fiscal stimuli. This is in spite of the ongoing global trade tensions, especially between the U.S. and China as well as economic and trade uncertainties over the Brexit saga – indeed, the IMF projects slower growth rates for the U.S. and Chinese economies of 2.1%
and 5.8% respectively in 2020 (from 2.4% and 6.1% projected for 2019).

The IMF projects Nigeria’s economy to grow by 2.5% in 2020 (higher than 2.3% forecast for 2019). We expect the Nigerian economy to benefit from solid crude oil revenues which should support economic growth in 2020 as well as provide a boost to its external buffers. Sustained expansionary fiscal policies should, especially from the angle of infrastructural development around the country should also provide at least minimal support to growth giving lag effects due to their long gestation period.

We expect the general price level of goods and services to be upbeat in 2020, mainly as a result of structural factors and less of consumer demand. Continued border closure by the fiscal authority, premised on the need to support local industries, is expected to exacerbate cost-push inflation – although there are expectations that the protectionist measure should stimulate domestic output and improve the balance of payments.

We believe the monetary authority will remain aligned with the fiscal authority’s economic growth objective by seeking to create and sustain conditions that will boost liquidity in the financial system in order to drive down interest rates to a single digit. Thus, we expect interest rates to remain suppressed in 2020. In a complementary move, we suspect the Monetary Policy Rate may be adjusted downwards from 13.50% to 13% in order to further signal its expansionary monetary policy regime.

We expect 2020 to be a favourable year for equities against the backdrop of low-interest-rate environment. This is because companies would be able to access funds at a cheaper cost, thus reducing their interest expense and positively impacting their bottom lines. Also, investors are expected to make a switch from fixed income securities yielding negative real returns to equities presenting positive real returns both in terms of dividend yields as well as possible capital appreciation especially in the first quarter of 2020.

Download the Outlook & Investment Strategies for 2020 here

Cowry Asset Management Limited (COWRY)

Tackling Food Insecurity in North-Eastern Nigeria

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Tackling Food Insecurity in North-Eastern Nigeria

In light of recent food security analyses that indicate a growing number of people at risk of food insecurity in northeastern Nigeria, FAO is supporting vulnerable smallholders in the region to produce their own food. According to the latest Cadre Harmonisé analysis (October 2019), almost 2.7 million people in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe (BAY) States are facing critical food insecurity; without sustained humanitarian support, this figure is projected to rise to over 3.5 million by the onset of the next lean season (June–August 2020). As part of its continued efforts to improve food security in the North-East, FAO has launched its 2019/20 dry season support programme targeting over 35 000 households across the BAY states.

FAO’s dry season intervention is linked to the harvesting of the rainy season during which FAO had supported around 100 000 smallholders. The intervention is a key component of FAO’s overall response programme in the North-East to support conflict-affected populations to meet their immediate food needs, gradually rebuild their livelihoods and resilience to shocks, and mitigate protection risks.

In northeastern Nigeria, only a limited number of crops are cultivated during the dry season. Therefore, dry season harvests boost food availability within rural communities during the lean season when food stocks are depleted. Without support for food production, households face significant food shortages, often resulting in the adoption of negative coping mechanisms. FAO’s dry season intervention strengthens the productive capacities of beneficiary households in a bid to avert such negative consequences, increasing access to food.

During the current dry season, beneficiaries will receive a mix of high value crop seeds in two separate kits. The first kit consists primarily of vegetables seeds (amaranth, cabbage, carrot, okra, onion and tomato seeds); the second kit includes rice seeds. Beneficiaries will also each receive a 25-kg bag of fertilizer to boost crop performance.

In addition, under the ongoing European Union Trust Fund intervention in Borno State, FAO has started the distribution of water pumps and equipment for irrigation farming to more than 4 000 households. This will further improve crop performance and enable farmers to optimize production in the land area cultivated.

Both activities were officially launched by the Borno State Deputy Governor – Honourable Umar Usman Kadafur – alongside other high-profile state government officials at a ceremony in Maiduguri on 19 December. In his remarks, the Deputy Governor acknowledged FAO’s critical role in addressing food insecurity in Borno State, and Al Hassan Cisse, head of FAO’s North-East suboffice, stated that “FAO’s programmes are hinged on protecting livelihoods and enhancing the productive capacities of smallholders; we believe this will encourage household food production and promote self-sufficiency”.

FAO’s dry season intervention in the region is being implemented with the support of the European Union, and the Governments of Germany, Norway and the United States of America.

UBA Africa Appoints new CEO

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UBA Africa Appoints new CEO

United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) today, announced that Oliver Alawuba has been appointed as CEO of UBA Africa, overseeing UBA’s 20 countries Africa ex-Nigeria, operations. He succeeds Victor Osadolor, who retires from the Group Board, after 9 years working at UBA. UBA Africa serves over 19 million customers across the African continent, providing retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge products including the first-ever banking chat Bot in Africa, Leo.

Oliver Alawuba

Mr. Alawuba has close to three decades of banking industry experience. He was once the CEO of UBA Ghana and rose to become Regional CEO, UBA Africa before returning to Nigeria to run UBA’s East Bank. Under his leadership, UBA’s Nigerian East Bank division became the fastest growing regional bank in the Group.

The Board further appointed Senegalese national, Abdoul-Aziz Dia as Executive Director for Treasury and International Banking, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Aziz becomes the first non-Nigerian Group Executive Director of the Bank, bringing a wealth of multi geographical experience to the Group. Mr. Dia will be responsible for UBA’s the global network of operations in New York, London and Paris, together with Group Treasury, where UBA offers a sophisticated suite of products to multinationals, international institutions and African clients.

Chukwuma Nweke, currently the Executive Director Operations, was confirmed by the Board as the Group Executive Director, Retail and Payments, demonstrating the Group’s commitment to its retail offering. Chuks has close to three decades of banking experience spanning Banking Operations, Finance, Technology, Audit and Strategy.

The Board also announced the appointment of Chiugo Ndubuisi as Group Executive Director and the Group Chief Operating Officer, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Chiugo is a professional with almost three decades of banking experience that includes the role of CFO and Executive Director on the Board of a financial institution. His in-depth understanding of banking and finance industry dynamics will bring a lot of value to the Group Board of UBA.

Speaking on the appointments, Group Chairman Tony O. Elumelu said “These appointments emphasise the Group’s commitment to our pan-African and global network, our huge retail client base and our operational infrastructure. We are focused on improving our efficiency and further strengthening our pan-African mission, using the extraordinary pool of talent and experience available in the Group.”

Elumelu thanked both the outgoing Deputy Managing Director/CEO, UBA Africa, Mr. Victor Osadolor and the former Regional CEO for UBA in East and Southern Africa, Emeke Iweriebor, who just retired from the Board, for their contributions to the Bank. “Victor and Emeke were key players during the merger of Standard Trust Bank and UBA and have been valuable contributors to the growth of the Bank. We wish them well”.

The Board appointments underline UBA’s broader commitment to investing in the highest quality human capital. The Bank recently reformed its grade structure and technology teams, having reduced its grade structure from 16 to 12 levels, at the end of 2019. The Bank welcomed 3,000 new staff members in 2019 and promoted over 5,000 employees. UBA is the largest employer in the Nigerian banking sector, with a staff strength of close to 20,000 employees group-wide.

Samsung Introduces Cheaper Galaxy S10 Lite, Galaxy Note10 Lite

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Samsung Introduces Cheaper Galaxy S10 Lite, Galaxy Note10 Lite

Samsung has launched new smartphones that follow up on its Galaxy S and Note series, but at a more accessible price. The Galaxy S10 Lite and Galaxy Note10 Lite both come with an S Pen, the latest camera features and an immersive display but cost from EUR 649 and EUR 599 respectively. The phones will be on display at CES 2020 on 1-10 January, with the Galaxy S10 Lite available in Prism White, Prism Black and Prism Blue and the Galaxy Note10 Lite in Aura Glow, Aura Black and Aura Red.

The Galaxy S10 Lite sports a main Wide-angle camera with a 123=degree angle lens and Ultra Wide and Macro cameras, combined with the new Super Steady OIS (optical image stabilization). The Note10 also has three cameras, but with less specifications.

Both devices have a 6.7 inch screen. The Galaxy S10 Lite is equipped with Super AMOLED Plus and the Galaxy Note10 Lite with a Super AMOLD edge-to-edge Infinity-O display. The 4,500 mAh can be charged by a fast charger. Both phones will also come with Samsung’s ecosystem of apps and services, including Bixby, Samsung Pay and Samsung Health, as well as defence-grade security platform Samsung Knox.

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