Regulatory Effectiveness: How Nigeria and other African Countries can learn from the EU on Tobacco Regulation

The fight against tobacco consumption which commenced decades in some jurisdictions and became a global phenomenon, is taking a different dimension and approach. Unfortunately, over the years in Africa, we have become a symbolic laggard. However, we can take centre stage and lead the policy reforms that will show that we have indeed learnt from the mistakes and experiences of the advanced countries and continents who decades ago “cracked the whip” harder on tobacco usage and in the process created more harm than perceptive good.

Adidas Congratulates Super Eagles At Formal Launch In Nigeria

As part of its strategic growth plan into Nigeria, leading sports and lifestyle brand and Super Eagles technical sponsor, adidas has formally launched its operations and also celebrated its one year anniversary in Nigeria this past Saturday, minutes before the country qualified for her fifth World Cup appearance coming up in Brazil next year.

Speaking at the event, Senior Business Development Manager, adidas, South Africa, Astruds Meintjes explained that the brand has enjoyed unrivalled success in the country due to its strategic partnership with the Super Eagles.

The 3rd Marketing World Awards

From Left, General Manager Consumer Marketing MTN Nigeria, Kola Oyeyemi, Managing Director 141 Worldwide, Bunmi Oke, Executive Director PZ, Yomi Fatunroti, Chief Executive Office Scanad, Rufai Ladipo, Chief Marketing Officer MTN Nigeria, Larry Annetts and Chairman Troyka Holding, Biodun Shobanjo as he receives the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the 3rd Marketing World Awards held at Intercontinental Hotel Victoria Island Lagos on Friday 8th November 2013

NEPAD Business Group Nigeria Cassava Investment Forum (NCIF)

 R-L: British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), General Manager, Abimbola Okoya, Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Director General, Dr. Nteranya E. Sangiga and FADAMA Coordinator, Delta State, Tony Abanum at the 1st NEPAD Business Group Nigeria  Cassava Investment Forum (NCIF) held in Abuja today.

Adidas Celebrates One Year in Nigeria

....Prepares To Launch Two New Stores

Over a year ago, adidas, the global sports brand, through a Strategic Retail Partnership with Mopheth Sport Nigeria Ltd, opened its first two stores in Nigeria. The exciting first year saw the two stores run a plethora of campaigns that not only presented the public with authentic adidas product but also offered great competitions such as a consumer opportunity to win tickets to watch a Chelsea game in the UK.

It’s Official: Webster University to Open Accra, Ghana Campus January 14, 2014

.....Campus degrees will include Business, Communications, and International Relations

Webster University’s new Accra, Ghana campus has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in the United States, clearing the final hurdle to offer dually accredited degrees for it graduates, it was announced today.

Student recruitment and enrollmentwill begin immediately, and classes will start Jan. 14, 2014.

The approval by the HLC will ensure Webster University graduates in Ghana to hold degrees that will be recognized in both Ghana and the U.S., making it easier for them to seek work in either county or pursue additional studies in either country. Earlier this year, Ghana’s Ministry of Education gave approval for the programs that will be offered at the Accra campus.

MyAsho.com, MyAshomarket.com re-launch in grand style

 

Style aficionados now have less to worry about keeping their wardrobe stocked with unique pieces of wares and accessories that make them stand out at different occasion with the launch of MyAsho.com and MyAshomarket.com, a twin online fashion store. The re-launch which held at 56 Wells Street, London W1, saw the emergence of two sites. 
The even showcased the unique and beautiful pieces available on the two websites. 

Inappropriate Call for no Tobacco Investment

The recent call by the group National Coalition Against Tobacco, asking Governor Fashola to reject the Tobacco Company’s investment in the State appears misguided and inappropriate. Whilst many perfectly understand the need to regulate the tobacco sector, it is also well known and accepted that tobacco is a legal industry and hence asking them not to interact with government and its agencies is mischievous and does not in any way affect the drive to reduce tobacco consumption. Clearly after several years of concerted efforts by different NGOs, globally, to stop tobacco consumption, it appears that the strategy applied has had minimal effect and needs to be changed. Many hard line activists continue to aggressively attack the industry and hoodwink several governments to legislate the tobacco industry out of existence, ensuring that governments lose tax incomes as criminals’ smuggling activities continue to fill the void that stringent regulation creates.

African Brands adapting to Global Standard

.....By Celine DeCarlo, CNN International

One of the most cherished parts of a career with an international news channel is the time spent travelling. While visits to different countries are often frustratingly short, after a while you get an acute sense of how a place is developing.  As the years go by and one revisits such destinations again, certain changes catch your eye, and you find yourself mentally tallying the signs that a country has advanced.  Advancements such as a sleek new airport terminal or a pedestrian walkway where the unmade road use to be, the steady electricity power during a stay at a hotel and the new store at a junction where once a fruit stall stood.  Also noted are the numbers of tablets being used in meetings and the appearance of the latest smartphones in people’s hands.

BATNF honours with double SERAs Award

 
(From the right) Head of Project, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), Mr. Abayomi Oyewole being presented with an award of most outstanding CSR practitioner by the CEO, BrandWorld Newspapers, Clara Okoro, during the 7th annual SERA Awards held on Saturday September 21, 2013 at the Muson Center, Lagos.

CNN Profiles Princess Offiong Ejindu on African Voices

  ...as she talks about her life, love of fashion, and plans to empower the  African youths
 

This week, Nigerian-born, Offiong Ekanem Ejindu, popularly known as Princess Fifi, a Nigerian descendent of royalty, who studied in America and became a pioneer in the field of architecture, will feature on African Voices, CNN International’s weekly half-hour programme highlighting Africa's most engaging personalities.

The Other Side Of Anti-Tobacco Campaign: A Good Distraction From Terrible Realities

When people suddenly emerge apostles of anti-this and anti-that, we often assume they must be altruistic in intention. We do take it for granted that they must mean well simply because they appear to be speaking well. However, in most cases such people are not being driven by any altruistic motive. At a closer look, the ulterior motive which is their primary motivation becomes obvious. Children and women are common motifs in their campaigns but in the long run it becomes clear that they (the campaigners) just use them (children and women) as a means to the end the campaigners seek to achieve, not the very end. Those on whose behalf they claim to fight more often than not do end up being the very victims of the campaigns. Hence, the need to examine the ugly significations of anti-tobacco campaign woven around children right to a good future.

Smuggling and the Tobacco Industry: Learnings from Canada

The debate on the desirability of stricter tobacco control laws is on, as the Tobacco Control Bill (TCB) reaches the public hearing stage at the House of Representatives. Both the pros and the antis have been advancing their arguments based on the facts available to each group and most times, these arguments are prejudiced.

There is one underlining fact that is incontrovertible; tobacco consumption has grave health implications on users. In reaching a conclusion that is of utmost benefit to the people, the legislators must be dispassionate in looking at the pros and cons of the bill and be able to fashion out a balanced and evidence-based law.

Need for Informed Regulation: The Tobacco Industry Example

Emeka Anichebe

Business regulation has been on for a long time. Since colonial times, government has regulated business. The need for more responsive and effective business regulation was one of the reasons for the fight for independence in the US. As the U.S. economy became more industrialized and the United States grew to be a world power in the nineteenth century, the federal government passed business laws that favored social reforms over the interests of big business.

Between civil advocacy, the government and corporate organizations

-Chidozie Chukwuemeka

Dividends refer to the portion of profit stakeholders (shareholders) get from an enterprise for their stakes (shares) in the business. With continuous evolution, everything, including state – the nation state has acquired the status of enterprise.

So, such things as dividends of democracy have become commonplace. What do people particularly ordinary citizens get for their stakes in the state? That is their dividend from the state enterprise because they hold shares in the state. It is an inalienable right. And where it is not given or partially given or in any way denied, the people put their feet down in demand for what they know is their right.

Picture from GE Amsterdam Supplier Fair

 

 L-R: Seun Faluyi, Managing Director, Global Oceon; David Kirubi, Sourcing Manager, GE Africa; Lazarus Angbazo, President & CEO, GE Nigeria, Vincent Ebuh Jnr, Business Development, Global Oceon and Tassie Stanford, Managing Director/CEO, Tilone at the GE Supplier Fair held in Amsterdam recently.

300,000 Young Nigerians Break World Record With Close Up Teeth Brushing Challenge

L-R: Vice President, Association of Private Dental Practitioners of Nigeria, Azuara Ifeanyi David; President, Nigeria Dental Association, Olojede Olurotimi; Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, David Arome Okeme, and Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina, during the Closeup Sponsored World Record Teeth brushing challenge at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere on July 4

Over 300,000 young Nigerians gathered at the Teslim Balogun stadium  in Lagos, as well as other locations around the state, to participate in the World Record breaking Teeth brushing challenge. The challenge sponsored by leading oral care brand, Close Up toothpaste, in partnership with Lagos State government, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), HEIT Solutions, Vas2Net & Core Media, saw various school students take part in brushing their teeth at the same time at different locations.

Speaking before the kick-off, Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, said that the challenge was a representation of how people ought to take care of their bodies, with oral care being a priority.

Close Up set to break World Record with Teeth Brushing Challenge … 300,000 Nigerian to brush teeth at the same time

Leading oral care brand, Close Up toothpaste, has reiterated its commitment to promoting a healthy oral care culture. This came against the backdrop of the World Record breaking Teeth brushing challenge slated to hold on July 4^th in partnership with Lagos State government, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), HEIT Solutions, Vas2Net & Core Media. 

Judges Urged to Join Lagos Court of Arbitration Membership Programme

Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA), Megha Joshi; ADR Training Consultant, Olusola Adegbonmire and Honorable Chief Justice High Court of Lagos State, Chief Justice Ayotunde Phillips at 2^ndJudges’ Training in Lagos State by LCA at Epe Resort and Spa in Lagos

The Lagos Court of Arbitration (LCA) has urged the legal practitioners in Lagos State to take advantage of the promotional membership rate and join the LCA membership programme which has been developed to focus interest on knowledge and educate individuals interested in commercial arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

This assertion was made by the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, Ms Megha Joshi, during the second edition of Judges’ training in Lagos. According to Joshi, the benefits of LCA membership are numerous, in line with the growth of the institution.”As a new and emerging arbitration centre, we have adopted best practice methods with guidance from established arbitration centres across the world, to ensure we begin operations at internationally recognised standards of excellence.’

Mouka ‘Mattress Swap’ Initiative Goes Pan-Nigeria....consumers get new mattresses at discounted price in major cities

 Mouka Limited, market leader in the household and industrial foam market in Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region has announced the extension of its Mattress Swap Initiative introduced recently within Lagos metropolis to other parts of the country. The scheme which allows numerous customers to replace their old mattresses with new ones at discounted rate, has now been extended to Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers states

Mouka ‘Mattress Swap’ initiative which was introduced in March 8, 2013 as part of activities to mark the 2013 World Sleep Day 2013 is the first of its kind in the Foam manufacturing industry in Nigeria. With this extension, residents in major cities in Nigeria now have reasons to experience comfort in their sleep with this initiative. 

ORAL B CELEBRATES WORLD ORAL HEALTH DAY WITH NIGERIAN CHILDREN

Today, as part of the activities to commemorate World Oral Health day (WOHD), Oral-B demonstrated her purpose of promoting Oral health in Nigeria, by celebrating WOHD with Nigerian primary school children at an event hosted by the brand at Chrisland Primary School, Ikeja.

The Brand Operations Integration Leader of P&G- Mrs. Mokutima Ajileye, during her address at the event stated “Oral-B is committed to providing oral health education to Nigerians not just today on WOHD but always. Oral health is at the core of our brand purpose and this can be seen in the superior protective quality of Oral-B and through the free services we provide with the Oral-B mobile dental clinic program.
Ajileye continued saying that “At Procter and Gamble our aim is to touch and improve the lives of consumers with all our products. Oral-B furthers this goal by raising awareness about oral hygiene by giving education on the importance on good oral practices and disease prevention.  

Pictures from Nigerian Idol Season 3, Top 5 Second Gala Show

 

 Nigerian Idol Season 3 last three male contestants, Jay-Feel (1st left); Abasiakan (1st right); Moses (2nd right) and Manager, Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Orah Egwu at the Nigerian Idol Season 3 Second Top 5 Gala Show, held at Dream Studio, Bamako Estate, Lagos, on Sunday, 24th March, 2013.

   

Manager, Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Orah Egwu (third left), with Nigerian Idol Season 3 Top 5 contestants, Jay-Feel (1st left); Debie Rise (second left); Abasiakan (1st right); Moses (2nd right) and Sefeeyat, at the Nigerian Idol Season 3 Second Top 5 Gala Show, held at Dream Studio, Bamako Estate, Lagos, on Sunday, 24th March, 2013.

CNN African Voices Profiles Jeta Amata Seasoned Nollywood Director

African Voices, a weekly programme that examines the diversity, dynamism, and global influence of Africa’s peoples and cultures and highlights Africa's most engaging personalities on the continent and in the diaspora will be profiling one of Nigeria’s popular film Directors Jeta Amata.

This week, CNN’s Isha Sesay talks with Amata about his upcoming film and his experience working with major Hollywood and Nollywood film stars.

Jeta Amata comes from a family of well-known Nollywood talent. His grandfather was a prominent writer and actor. Now Jeta Amata is part of the new generation of Nigerian movie-makers committed to telling African stories to a global audience

CLOSE-UP, LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT, NDA, HEIT CELEBRATE WORLD ORAL HEALTH DAY . . . KICK-OFF NEW WORLD RECORD TOOTH BRUSHING CHALLENGE

Leading oral care brand, Close-Up Toothpaste in partnership with Lagos State government, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), HEIT Solutions, Vas2Net & Core Media has celebrated the World Oral Health Day to introduce the World Record Tooth Brushing Challenge and sensitise the public on the importance of proper oral care.

EMP Announces the Appointment of Tunde Coker as Regional Head of West Africa

Emerging Markets Payments ("EMP"), a leading African and Middle Eastern payments company, today announces the appointment of Tunde Coker as its Regional Head of West Africa.

"EMP's Bank Processing division provides card personalization, card hosting, card processing and ATM and POS driving services to 135 banks across the MENA region. 50 of these are in West Africa, which highlights the importance of this appointment," said Hoda Shoukry, EMP Bank Processing Division's CEO.

ORAL B CELEBRATES WORLD ORAL HEALTH DAY WITH NIGERIAN CHILDREN

Today, as part of the activities to commemorate World Oral Health day (WOHD), Oral-B demonstrated her purpose of promoting Oral health in Nigeria, by celebrating WOHD with Nigerian primary school children at an event hosted by the brand at Chrisland Primary School, Ikeja.

Nokia appoints Nick Imudia as Managing Director for West and Central Africa

Nokia announced the appointment of Nick Imudia as Managing Director for its West and Central Africa operations. Covering a territory that includes Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Liberia, Chad, Niger, Benin and Togo, Imudia will be based in the Nokia office in Lagos.

Nick Imudia joined Nokia in 1998 and has held several senior positions within the organization over the past 15 years, including Senior Manager for Retail IT Products and Systems, based out of Singapore; Director of Consumer and Marketing Solutions and Head of Sales and Marketing Solutions. Prior to his move to West Africa, Imudia was based in Finland as Director for the Sales and Marketing Capability Unit, a role in which he held global responsibility for all of the processes, tools and systems for the Nokia Sales and Marketing function.

Nigerian Idol Season III-“2 down….6 left”

Last weekend on Nigerian Idol, Kome and Dani Angus were evicted from the show leaving Safeeyat, Debie, Efezino, Jay-Feel, Abasiakan, and Moses in the competition.

Who among these 6 contestants will be evicted on the show this week? Which of the contestants will make it to the finale of the competition? Well, now you are the judge. Yes! The power lies in your hands. Keep voting to keep your favorite contestant in the competition, log on to www.nigerianidol.com. Voting closes at 12midnight on Wednesday.

Nigerian Idol is proudly brought to you by Etisalat, Nigeria’s fastest growing and most innovative telecommunication company.

Pictures From The MasterCard thought leadership Forum That Was Held In Lagos

                       

L-R: Enterprise Bank, Group head e-banking, Mrs. Ogba Ori, Guaranty Trust Bank, Assistant general manager, Mr. Deji Oguntonade, MasterCard Advisors, Global head acquiring knowledge centre, Mr. Philip Miller, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS),Executive Director Business Development, Mrs. Christabel Onyejekwe at the MasterCard thought leadership forum on Merchant Acquire, that held in Lagos on the March 7, 2013.

 

L-R: MasterCard Worldwide,Country Manager, Ms. Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Enterprise Bank, Group head e-banking, Mrs Ogba Ori, MasterCard Advisors, Global head acquiring knowledge centre, Mr. Philip Miller, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Executive Director Business Development, Mrs. Christabel Onyejekwe, KeyStone bank, Divisional head global transaction banking, Mrs. Uchenna Okwodu at the MasterCard thought leadership forum on Merchant Acquire, that held in Lagos on the March 7, 2013.

THREE NETWORKING PARADIGMS THAT WOULD AFFECT BUSINESS IN TODAYS ECONOMY

At a time when IT budgets remain relatively flat, IT organisations are faced with a number of major shifts in networking that cannot be ignored. Finding ways to keep pace with this shifting landscape and the rapid drumbeat of innovation is a challenge certainly, but even for those without limitless budgets, it’s not one which has to prove insurmountable. IT organisations must be pragmatic but also consider their technology choices carefully, protecting existing investments through the use of open technologies and looking at which projects need to be prioritised in line with the business’ priorities.


Broadly speaking there are three major trends within the networking space that are currently shaping the industry; convergence, distributed networking and software defined networks. These topics are not new to the table, but having been discussed for some time, they are now beginning to hit the mainstream in terms of the maturity of the technology and where they are on the corporate agenda.

BATN sustains agriculture sector development contributions in rural Nigeria ….. Rewards 209 Farmers at the 2013 BATN/BATIA Productivity Awards

 L-R: Aare of Ago Are, His Royal Highness Jubril Olagoke, Award recipient, Mr Toriola Adigun and Area Head, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, British American Tobacco West Africa, Mr Freddy Messanvi at the BATN/BATIA Farmers Productivity Awards Ceremony in Iseyin, Oyo State.

British American Tobacco Nigeria on February 21, 2013 rewarded 209 deserving farmers as part of the 8^th annual British American Tobacco Iseyin Agronomy Farmers Productivity Awards Scheme.

The Farmers’ Productivity Awards Scheme is an initiative of British American Tobacco Iseyin Agronomy, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco Nigeria designed to improve the farmers’ productivity in terms of quality and volume of yield, as well as encourage their adherence to principles of environmental protection. Provisions of the program to farmers include technical support ,farming inputs, environment management, fair pricing through transparent and assured negotiations, socio-economic development and alternative sources of income through crop rotation which allows the farmers to plant other food crops have been in place since 2005.

Etisalat Group Offers Low-Cost Access to Social Media and Email via USSD to Emerging Markets....Partnership With Mahindra Comviva Makes Rich Web Applications Available On All Phones

Millions of mobile users owning basic mobile phones across Africa and Asia are now able to join the online community using a new low-cost USSD messaging service from Etisalat. This will provide access to email, social networking and messaging services, to basic mobile devices and feature phones at very affordable prices.

Etisalat Supports Quality Healthcare Delivery in Ekiti… donates 20KvA generator to Aramoko Ekiti General Hospital

The General Hospital, Aramoko, Ekiti State last week received a donation of a brand new 20kva generator from Etisalat Nigeria to aid its healthcare delivery services. The donation is part of the community relations initiatives of the fastest growing and most innovative telecommunication company, Etisalat Nigeria that has seen the company intervene in several key areas within its host communities across Nigeria.

Etisalat Capital Markets Day focuses on Providing Best In Class Customer Experience for Retail and Business

Etisalat, the leading emerging markets telecom group, with operations in 16 countries yesterday provided an update on its 2012 business, financial and commercial overview as well as the group’s strategy and regulatory environment at its annual Capital Markets Day event held at the Jumeriah Hotel, Abu Dhabi, focusing on its drive for growth of broadband and digital services through innovation, cost savings and productivity improvements.

Etisalat Renews Sponsorship Agreement

Etisalat Group, the leading telecommunications operator in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, and FC Barcelona today announced the renewal of a four-year partnership agreement. The deal means the UAE-based company is FC Barcelona official partner in the UAE, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, Niger, Gabon and Central Africa Republic.

The contract was signed during Mobile World Congress 2013 – a major event for the telecommunications industry taking place in Barcelona – at FC Barcelona’s stadium, Camp Nou, by Mr Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar, CEO of the Etisalat Group and Sandro Rosell, the president of FC Barcelona. They were accompanied by Steven Evans, Etisalat’s CEO for Nigeria, Khalid Al Kaf, CEO for Mobily (which operates in Saudi Arabia), Nagi Abboud, CEO for Atlantique Telecom, its Chief Regional Officer for Africa, Essa Al Haddad and Rainer Rathgeber, Etisalat Group’s Chief Commercial Officer.

Pictures from Etisalat, Generator Commissioning At Aramoko, Ekiti

  Chief Medical Director, General Hospital, Aramoko, Ekiti, Dr. Kayode Ogunjobi; Specialist, Government Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Abbas Ismail; Chairman, Communications Committee, Ekiti West Federal Constituency 2, of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo and His Royal Majesty, Alara of Aramoko, Ekiti, Oba Adeyemi, at the Commissioning of a 27KvA Generator, Donated by Etisalat Nigeria to Aramoko Ekiti General Hospital, Aramoko Ekiti, on Monday, 18^th February, 2013.

Oral-B continues its mobile dental clinic program

 Brand Operations Integration Leader, P&G, Mokutima Ajileye; Celebrity Endorser, Sidney Esiri (aka Dr. SID); and Brand Operations Integration Manager, P& G, Titilola Adetunji at the on-going Oral-B mobile dental clinic program organized to support oral health  by Procter and Gamble Nigeria held in Lagos  recently. 

Procter and Gamble(P&G), the world’s largest manufacturer of household goods has begun another phase of its ‘Oral-B mobile dental clinic’ program. The new phase of the program features traditional elements of the mobile clinic such as dental health checks by accredited dentists, in additional to the new‘Oral–B Winning Mouth Test’ which asks consumers to express why their dental hygiene routine leads to having a winning mouth.

Pampers builds capability of paediatricians in Nigeria; will sponsor up to 7 pediatric doctors to the United States for training and research.

Pampers, one of the leading brands of Procter & Gamble, announced that it will sponsor 7 Nigerian pediatric doctors to the United States of America (USA) for Observership and research scholar programs. This was announced at a press conference today in Enugu as part of the 44^th Annual conference of the Paediatric association of Nigeria

The program; called the Nurturing Childrens Development program is a partnership between Pampers and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) with an objective of contributing towards improvement in the healthy development of infants and children worldwide. The program, fully funded by Pampers, consists of 2 month observerships and a 9 month research scholarship at the prestigious Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Centre- one of the top pediatric hospitals and child health research institutions in the United States which has produced some of the most renowned pediatric research scientists, including Dr. Albert Sabin, discoverer of the oral polio vaccine.

Winners Of The ‘Etisalat Prize for Innovation’ Celebrated

Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Wael Ammar; Winner of Etisalat Prize for Innovation 2012 (Most Innovative Idea), Mr. Oyehmi Begho; with his business partner, Miss Nkemdilim Uwaje and Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans, at the 2013 Etisalat Prize for Innovative Press Conference, held at Four Point By Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos, today, Thursday, 7th February, 2013.

Winners of the 1^st edition of the ‘Etisalat prize for Innovation’were celebrated at a media event held at the FourPoints by Sheraton Hotel in Lagos yesterday. The winners who were announced at the Africa Com Gala dinner held in Cape Town last year will be supported by Etisalat in further developing the two winning entries for product/idea of the competition, Mobile Maths Practice and i-Connect.

Etisalat Launches Pre-Order Campaign for Blackberry 10 with Surprise Packages

(L-R): CEO PTV Phones, Banji Adesanmi, Regional Director, East, Central and West Africa, Blackberry, Waldi Wepener, Head, Data Messaging, Applications & Devices, Etisalat Nigeria, Okung Ebiefie, Head of Retail, West Africa, Blackberry, Bridget Chukwumah, Director, Products & Services, Etisalat Nigeria, Lucas Dada and CEO, 1Number Nigeria, Adegbe Ogbeh, at the recent launch of Blackberry 10 in South Africa.

Nigeria’s most innovative and fastest growing telecommunication company, Etisalat, today announced the launch of its pre-order campaign for the latest Blackberry Smartphones. The BlackBerry® 10 range of smartphones recently launched at an event in South Africa are re-designed, re-engineered, and re-invented BlackBerry platforms that create a new and unique mobile computing experience.

ORAL B Commends the Federal Ministry of Health on National Oral Care Policy

 In fulfillment of its mission of promoting Oral health in Nigeria, Oral B has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Health on the launch of the first ever National Oral Health care policy in Nigeria. The formal event which took place at the Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja was planned strategically as part of the celebration of the 2nd National Oral Health care week and saw the launch of the policy as well as the inauguration of the Senate President; Dr. David Mark GCON as the National Oral Health Champion.

Adidas Brand Comes to Nigeria

Adidas, the global sports brand, has opened two stores in Nigeria through its Strategic Retail Partner, Mopheth Sport Nigeria Ltd, during the last quarter of 2012. The move demonstrates adidas’ intention to strengthen the brand in the vibrant Western African country. “Although we have always had a strong presence in Nigeria through the sponsorship of the Super Eagles, our product offering has been limited. As part of our growth into Africa, we have identified a well-established retail partner who is responsible for the rollout of adidas monobranded stores in Nigeria,” says Astrud Meintjes, the Senior Business Development Manager at adidas South Africa. The adidas brand entered the Nigerian market, when Mopheth opened the first adidas store in Lagos’ Ikeja City Mall in October 2012.This has been followed up, by the opening of a second store in the nation’s capital, Abuja, in December 2012.

Etisalat Nigeria, Eskimi provide extra value via Opera Mini

Social networking platform Eskimi and Etisalat Nigeria are providing users with quicker access to the social network through the speed-dial option on Etisalat's branded Opera Mini browser.  Etisalat's 3.75G data service will give added value on Eskimi through virtual currency and VIP packages. Eskimi has launched a promotional campaign targeting consumers and subscribers.