In a bid to bring stability in the operation of organisations, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has taken over the major investor’s interests in NICON Insurance Limited and the Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation (Nigeria Re).
The two companies belonging to the embattled businessman and politician, Jimoh Ibrahim, were taken-over over an alleged N69.4 billion debt.
National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), however, approved the new board and management of the two firms.
According to AMCON, reason for the changes in the board and management of the two insurance firms is sequel to the takeover of the major investor’s interests in the two organisations.
The new board of NICON Insurance Limited has Mr. Lamis Shehu Dikko FIoD as Chairman, Dr. Henry Uko Ationu, ACIIN as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and Mr. John Abuh Oyidih FCA ACIIN as Executive Director, Finance & Admin.
The insurance firm also has Mr. Alexander Ayoola Okoh, the Director-General of Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) as Non-Executive Director and Mr. Ahmed Dahiru Modibbo FIBA ACIS as Non-Executive Director (Independent).
Similarly, the board and management of Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation has Mr. Mela Audu Nunghe SAN as Chairman, Mr. Olugbenga Falekulo ACII serves as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Olusegun Ilori FCA ACIIN comes in as Executive Director, Finance & Admin.
Mr. Alexander Ayoola Okoh, the Director-General of Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) comes in as Non-Executive Director while Mrs. Yvonne Isichei MIoD, FCIB joins as Non-Executive Director (Independent).
The reconstitution of the board and management team of two insurance institutions in Nigeria is to ensure that the firms continue in their quest for transparent and accountable management of insurance in the country and continue to deliver value to its stakeholders.
NICON Insurance Limited, which is one of Africa’s leading Insurers in the country was originally owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Corporation was established by Decree No.22 of 1969 (now Cap 263 law of 1990 as amended) with the main objective of assisting in the development of the insurance industry in Nigeria and specifically to ensure that Federal Government assets and property are fully protected by way of insurance.
However, consequent upon the commencement of the second phase of the Federal Government Privatisation Policy, NICON Insurance was privatised in December 2005.
With an asset base of N46.9bn gathered over a 50-year period of operation, many branches, and regional offices, it is therefore modest to classify NICON as a colossus in the insurance and other financial services sector.
Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation on the other hand was established under the Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation Act No. 49 of 1977. It commenced operations on January 1st, 1978, as Nigeria’s flag reinsurer, wholly owned by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In 2002, the Corporation was transformed from being a Federal Government wholly owned Corporation to a privatised company with the government retaining some shares.
The Corporation, which has over 40 years of operations is in the business of assuming risks, providing reinsurance services and risk management solutions to its clients.
All is now set for this year’s edition of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Training/Capacity Building programme on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at the training hall of Golden Tulip Hotel, along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport road, Lagos.
With the current global automotive industry racing towards electric and gas as an alternative to petrol in vehicular movement, the Director-General of the National Automotive Design & Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu (MFR), will declare open this year’s training/capacity programme with the theme “Migration to Electric Vehicles and Gas-powered Vehicles; Opportunities & Challenges for Nigeria”.
Also expected at training and capacity building programme as guest of honour is Boboye Oyeyemi (MFR), Corp Marshal, Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC).
Stakeholders supporting this crucial event holding on Thursday this week are the National Automotive Design & Development Council, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Coscharis Motors, Weststar, CFAO Motors, Autochek Africa, OMAA, Jet Systems, Kojo Motors (Yutong), and the Federal Roads Safety Corps, (FRSC).
According to the event organisers, the one-day training programme is expected to educate Nigerians on what the global shift to electric and gas as an alternative to petrol is all about and the opportunities and challenges of such in the country.
After the declaration of the programme open and presentations by the NADDC DG, who has been on the driver’s seat of Nigeria’s new thinking towards the use of electric and gas to move vehicles and other automotives as a cheap alternative to fossil fuel, local auto assemblers of electric vehicles and gas-powered vehicles are expected to give technical presentations of their operations with a look at the opportunities and challenges of producing such vehicles in the country.
Presentations will be made from Stallion Motors, assemblers of the Hyundai Kona electric vehicle in Lagos, OMAA Global, assemblers of the OMAA gas-powered range of buses at Igbo-Ukwu in Anambra state and Jet Systems Limited, assemblers of the JetMover range buses that runs on electric.
It would be recalled that Ford Motors South Africa (FMCSA) in collaboration with Coscharis Motors; its local franchisee were the lead sponsors of the first and second editions held in 2016 and 2017, while Nissan Motors South Africa (NMSA) followed.
The Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN) has elected a new executive that will oversee the activities of the association for the next two years at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held recently in Lagos.
The association also had its annual Brand Experience Summit and honoured outstanding agencies and individuals with awards at the two -day event.
Veteran marketing professional and Managing Director of Connect Marketing Services, Tunji Adeyinka emerged as the new President of EXMAN.
He was elected unopposed alongside other four marketing professionals into the new executive at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held recently.
Other members of the executive elected are Tolulope Medebem, Vice President (MD, Aster Integrated Marketing); Owolabi Mustapha, General Secretary (MD, Maxx Connection); Shola Antwi, Financial Secretary (Chief Operating Officer, DivergentMS) and Orunkoyi Adeniyi, Publicity Secretary (Project General, panache Communications).
The newly elected President takes over from Tade Adekunle, Chief Executive Officer of Keskese Limited, who has completed his two-year term.
The two-day Brand Experience Summit featured two plenaries and 40 sessions across five different parallel streams each day covering Brands/Campaigns/Ideas, Marketing Technology/Data, Agency/Insights/Measurement, Shopper/Trade Marketing, and Academy.
According to the organizers, the topics under each stream were carefully curated to cover the wide gamut of business practice, consumer engagement, evidence-based marketing, creativity, and business growth.
The hybrid event at Providence By Mantis in Ikeja, Lagos, had seasoned speakers across industries.
The summit had Cosmos Maduka, Chairman Coscharis Group, and Stella Fubara, Director International Operations – Dubai Dept of Tourism Commerce & Marketing, Tosin Runsewe, CEO at Afya Care/Non-Executive Chairman, Evercare Hospital Lekki; Biola Alabi, Founder, Biola Alabi Media as plenary speakers among other panellists.
According to the immediate past President of EXMAN, Mr. Tade Adekunle, the Brand Experience Summit provided a platform for robust discussions about business growth, innovation, and brand experience in Nigeria.
Speaking on how to grow businesses from small to big scale, Maduka leveraged strongly on his background and how he grew a two-hundred-naira business to a multibillion-naira enterprise within the last fifty years.
While emphasizing that every problem is actually an opportunity for business.
He enjoined participants at the conference to become solution providers as therein lies the opportunity to grow.
L-R: Biodun Oshinibosi, Immediate Past Vice President, EXMAN; Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, APCON Registrar; Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman, Troyka Group; Funmi Onabolu, GMD, Cosse Ltd and Recipient of LifeTime Achievement Awards; and Tade Adekunle, Immediate Past President, EXMAN at EXMAN Awards 2021
The association also honoured deserving and distinguishing agencies and individuals for their outstanding performance and contribution to the experiential marketing landscape in Nigeria.
The award night was a night of fun, glamour, glitz, colour, and beautiful costumes showcased by its members.
The most prestigious award of the night, Grand Prix, was clinched by Brand Regimen for its activation for Nivea during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Other agencies that won big at the night are Keskese, GDM Group, Brand Life, Abelinis, Ideas House, Town Crier, Maxx Connection, and EXP Marketing including Brand Regimen winning gold in various categories of the award.
The award categories they won range from Best Event (B2C) to Best Shopper Activation (Open Market), Best Trade Activation, Best Merchandising Solution (Modern Trade), Best Activation of Sporting Property Award, Best Activation of Entertainment Property Award, Best Use of Digital in an Event Award and Best Shopper Activation (Modern Trade) respectively.
They also clinched silver and bronze in other categories alongside other notable agencies in the country.
For the individual category award, Funmi Onabolu, GMD, Cosse Ltd was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Awards for his contribution to the growth of experimental marketing in the country.
Noteworthy, the event had guests and members of the association dressed in different cultural attires showcasing different cultures of the world.
The event was also graced by prominent industry leaders in the integrated marketing communications industry and brand management across the country.
They include Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman, Troyka Group; Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, APCON Registrar; Femi Adelusi, president, MIPAN; and Emmanuel Ajufo, President, OAAN among others.
Speaking at the event, APCON Registrar congratulated the association for the height it has attained within a short period of its existence and officially welcomed EXMAN as a sectoral body within the industry, and vowed to continue to work and support the association in all ramifications.
In line with its recently launched seven-point agenda which among other things seeks to increase staff morale while empowering them to work more efficiently, Fidelity Bank has promoted 745 employees.
The bank said the promotion came on the heels of the performance review of two financial years – 2019 and 2020.
A total of 461 staff members benefited from the FY 2019 promotion exercise, while 284 staff members benefited from the FY 2020 exercise.
The beneficiaries cut across the senior, middle, and junior management cadre of the bank, and the promotion was based on merit, using a transparent and robust performance management system in line with global best practices.
Speaking about this, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc said “I am very delighted to announce the promotions for 2019 and 2020 financial years.
“Releasing the list for 2 financial years’ promotion at the same time, is something we are very proud of.
“We strongly believe that the continuous growth of our bank over the years has been largely attributed to the commendable efforts and unrelenting sacrifices of our employees. Promotion is one of the many ways we express our gratitude. We are thankful to be a home to many amazing talents that continue to drive our value and most importantly, serve our stakeholders in the highest standards.”
Speaking further, she noted; “Since I was appointed the MD/CEO of our great bank in January 2021, I have been committed to a 7-point agenda to move our bank further, out of which workforce transformation is a key category. Staff performance and reward is a critical to us, and as an organisation, we will continue to make available adequate resources to deepen the skills and entrench a culture of high performance amongst employees.
“I wish to appreciate all members of the Fidelity Bank family for their commitment and drive, and unrelenting sacrifices towards delivering our objectives. As we move forward in our quest to becoming a leading tier-one bank, I encourage all elevated staff to see their promotion as a call to rededicate themselves to excellence.”
Fidelity Bank has continued to empower its employees with invaluable resources capable of putting them at the forefront of innovative transformation.
In March 2021, the bank announced two capacity-building projects – One Culture Project and Project Alpha – that were targeted at transforming the workplace for its staff.
In particular, Project Alpha was created to help Fidelity Bank develop a robust and holistic learning and development framework for all staff while One Culture Project was formed to reinforce the behaviour and value systems that will help the bank, as well as staff, achieve set goals.
President Mohammadu Buhari has approved the extension of the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to October 31, 2021.
The Director, Public Affairs Nigerian Communications Commission, Ikechukwu Adinde; and the Head, Corporate Communications, Nigeria Identity Management Commission, Kayode Adegoke, made this known in a joint statement on Sunday, titled ‘FG Extends NIN-SIM verification deadline to 31st October, 2021′.
Before now, FG had approved the extension of the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to July 26, 2021.
The statement noted that the registration focus is now expected to shift to remote and hard-to-reach areas, schools and health centres.
The statement read, “The Federal Government has approved the extension of the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to October 31, 2021.
“The decision to extend the deadline was made following a request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, diaspora and address low enrolments in schools and hospitals, as evidenced by enrolment statistics.
“It also followed a review of the progress of the exercise which indicated significant progress hence the need to consolidate the gains of the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process across the country.
“As of July 24th, 2021, there are over 5,500 enrolment systems within and outside the country and this would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM. The administration of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the extension as part of efforts to make it easier for its citizens within and outside the country, and legal residents to obtain the NIN and it is important to take advantage of the extension.
“The NIN-SIM linkage also makes it easier for the security agencies to carry out their statutory duties and the relevant parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy are supporting them as required.
“There are now a total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments, with an average of three to four SIMs per NIN. With the great number of enrolment centres within and outside the country, and many more coming up, every citizen, legal resident, and Nigerian citizens living in the diaspora should be able to obtain their NINs.”
The statement quoted the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, as commending the Kano State Government and other States that have made NINs a key requirement for school enrolments and access to other important services.
It added, “The Federal Government is also excited at the news that the use of NIN in the process of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board exam significantly reduced the challenge of exam malpractice.
“The Minister, on behalf of the Federal Government, appreciates Nigerians for their patience and compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM registration exercise.
“Similarly, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof Umar Garba Dambatta, and the Director-General/CEO of that National Identity Management Commission, Engr Aliyu Azeez, urge citizens and legal residents to make sure they use the opportunity to complete the process of enrolment and verification before the October 31st deadline.”
E-commerce is still in its infancy in Nigeria and Africa in general. Despite this, many would agree that a lot of progress has been made in the industry.
What we have today is a big leap to what obtained twelve years ago. More consumers are onboarding the e-commerce train. The hardest skeptics are beginning to have a taste of what online shopping entails.
Urban centers are gradually becoming a beehive of e-commerce activities, as the majority of small businesses now showcase their wares online. Several logistics brands are springing up to meet the delivery demands of sellers and customers. Hardly would you ply major roads in states like Lagos, Rivers and Abuja, without coming across a delivery van or motorcycle. Their presence is an indication of e-commerce momentum in the country.
More important is the improvement on service delivery by the industry players. The early days of online shopping was fraught with complaints. Late delivery of orders, wrong items and payment itches were prevalent at the time. Though these issues are still being experienced at intervals, it is fair to say that online platforms have put in effort to reduce such occurrences.
And in cases where this happens, measures are in place for a speedy refund process. These efforts are also being appreciated by customers. “I have been using Jumia for like six years now and my experience with Jumia has been nice. Even when I returned my order, I got my refund back less than the time they gave me. Even on their JumiaPay wallet, which you have to pay online before you get your order, I have had a very good experience with them,” said Ogechi Celestine, a Civil Servant resident in Rivers State.
Another interesting way e-commerce brands are improving service delivery and customer experience is pick up stations. With a station close by, a customer can walk in and pick his item. It takes e-commerce closer to rural residents and further eases the deal for urban dwellers. “Today is my first time coming to their pickup station to pick my order. I give kudos to Jumia and the team. They should keep it up,” Celestine added. The initiative is not only taking the service closer to customers, but also having ripple impact on small businesses
Though the e-commerce industry still has a lot to improve on, the work being put in by the major industry players gives hope of a good future for e-commerce services in Nigeria.
The Managing Director/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo has said that market formation framework is the key to optimally exploit Nigeria’s precious metal and solid minerals endowments.
He disclosed this during a webinar organised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development with the theme, “Financing the Solid Minerals Sector through the Capital Market and the Critical Role of Commodity Exchanges.”
In a press statement signed by Ozena Utulu, Ag. Group Head, Corporate Communications, Sekibo explained that a fully established market formation process that would lead to having a Corporation as an integrated solid mineral institution like NNPC which allows the collateralisation of assets those banks can rely on for alternative funding options.
According to him, this will guarantee other creative ways of raising funds for financing commercial activities relating to solid minerals and viable projects along its value chain.
Sekibo, who was represented by the Divisional Head, Strategy and Business Solutions, of the Bank, Olusegun Akanji, said for the sector to be viable, it requires lots of converged government interventions because for any development focused sector to kick-off around the world, it needs government intervention to lay the foundation for the private sector and funders to step-in and pool their resources.
“Once, we can collateralise these assets, whether they are under the ground or being determined, you use different instruments to bring liquidity into them. Then investors will follow up once we have established there is enough they can explore.” the MD stated.
He further suggested that finance sector regulators need to expand its Prudential Guidelines to accommodate the instruments such that precious metal backed or solid minerals backed assets could qualify as part of the computation of liquidity ratios.
“Once banks start injecting their resources, customers would certainly follow that trend. You can start arranging for sophisticated solutions like bonds, bullion backed assets and pension notes. Again, banks will have to be poised to hold the funding that comes from this sector; that way, they can open new transactional frontiers either locally or internationally.
“At the base of this, are the issues of pricing and integrity of the market. Once banks play in that sector and we have a government institution like the NNPC type to hold all these documentations, it would be very easy to establish price discovery on an ongoing basis. This will in turn attract international funders, hedge funds and retail investors. Today, we have retail bonds in the same way; we can have gold backed or any of the solid mineral assets where retail investors can put in the funds,” Sekibo explained.
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that Heritage Bank Plc has said its involvement in the private sector collaboration with Dukia Gold & Precious Metals Refining Co. Limited is set to unlock the over N344 trillion market worth of gold investible instruments in the solid minerals sector.
However, he reiterated that consistent packaged framework, which could only be held by an established government institution, as part of the layers of framework, would help to tackle major challenges in trying to support Dukia Gold’s clients.
“With consistent packaged framework, it will be easier for Dukia Gold and help in less spending. If Dukia Gold should speak of their challenges, they will speak about tonnes of tonnes of documents they have to produce. But with a unified source of documentation, it makes the process easier and improves cost management. These are some of the challenges we have experienced in trying to support a few clients we worked with,” Sekibo stated.
The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, says the pump price of petrol in Nigeria may rise up to as much as N1000 per litre when the petrol subsidy regime comes to an end without an alternative energy source.
DPR Director, Sarki Auwalu, stated this while responding to questions and comments generated by a paper he delivered in Lagos, recently, at the Second Quarter, 2021 Business Dinner of Petroleum Club Lagos.
Responding to the subsidy concerns and the disparity in the petrol consumption figures given by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the DPR, Auwalu acknowledged that Nigeria was spending so much on petrol subsidy.
He said eliminating it would require making alternative fuel available to Nigerians and that failure to do that could plunge Nigerians into paying higher petrol prices when subsidy is removed.
According to a statement on the DPR website on Monday titled, ‘DPR: Without Alternative Energy, Petrol Price Will Rise On Subsidy Removal’, Auwalu stated that Nigerians may pay as high as N1, 000 to buy one litre of petrol in the country when subsidy on petrol is removed and when the alternative energy or autogas gas policy becomes fully operational.
He, however, said the alternative fuel regime comes with initial cost as it will lead to spending $400 to convert one vehicles from running on petrol or diesel to running on either Liquefied Natural Gas or Compressed Natural Gas.
Auwalu maintained that converting eight million public vehicles currently present in Nigeria to gas-powered will cumulatively cost $3.2 billion to achieve.
He said, “So, to eliminate subsidy, they don’t call it subsidy anymore now, it’s under-recovery of purchase. So, to eliminate under-recovery, what you need is alternative fuel. Without an alternative, you will subject people to higher prices and that is why we go for price freedom.
“As at today, there are 22 million cars in Nigeria. Eight million are for public use. Imagine if you want to convert every car into gas, the average cost of conversion is $400. Converting eight million cars requires $3.2 billion. To do that, there are a lot of environmental investors which can invest and recover from the sale of gas and we are encouraging that.
“Once that is achieved, you will see that PMS can be sold at N1,000. After all, the average distance covered by one-gallon equivalent when you compare it with LNG or CNG with respect to energy for mobility is 2.7 against one. One for PMS, 2.7 for LNG or CNG.
”So, with that advantage, you will see that it creates an opportunity for this industry again. The issue of subsidy, the volume will all vanish and that is what we are working towards.
Stakeholders in the nation’s automotive industry are pessimistic of the future of auto fairs in the Nigeria.
Their fears are being ignited following a very low turnout recorded during the just concluded Lagos Motor Fair, which in the past 10 years has remained one of the major auto fairs in the country.
Strong indications to the future apathy from stakeholders emerged few weeks ago during the 15th edition of the Lagos International Motor Fair organised by BKG Exhibitions Limited which recorded an all time low turnout of auto dealers and other stakeholders in the nation’s automotive industry. The previous edition recorded the same low turn out.
Apart from vehicle dealers, regular spare parts exhibitors from overseas and other dealers in auto and allied products and services were absent due mainly to Covid-19
The low turnout, according to investigation has to do with the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic worsened by the poor economic situation which has not only affected car dealerships across the country, but has drastically reduced the purchasing power of car users.
BKG’s Lagos Motor Fair
Unlike other editions where over 50 vehicles would be on display by different Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and dealers, the fair witnessed abysmal number of cars and SUVs on display from Mikano Motors, Kia, OMAA, Jet Systems and Coscharis Motors.
This year, other big names that stayed away from what could be described as annual ritual are Toyota Nigeria Limited, Massilia Motors, distributors of Mitsubishi Motors; CFAO/Suzuki, Stallion Motors, dealers of over seven brands; and Westar Limited, dealers of Mercedes among others.
In his comment, general manager, marketing and corporate communication, Coscharis Group, Babarinde Abiona, said the event was not a jamboree but an opportunity to showcase what is new in the sector.
He appealed to the government to create an enabling environment and policy that supports the business that makes the automotive industry a viable economy.
He said with the entry of more players in the industry it shows there is a win-win solution for everyone.
Alluding to the poor turnout at the fair, managing director, BKG Exhibitions Limited, Ifeanyi Agwu, said it is indeed a seriously challenging time in the automotive industry in Nigeria.
Agwu said it is a season that has thrown up more challenges than ever before. A lot of companies have closed shop while a large number are merely existing and direly in need of life supports. This, he said, can be confirmed by the number of exhibitors in this year’s edition.
He added “Ordinarily it is the delight and wish of any serious player in the industry to showcase amongst others but here we are witnessing the opposite.
“All the relevant stakeholders must join hands and release the synergy that will see the sector regain the traction it has gained with the introduction of the NAIDP. This will help to fast track the development of the sector.
For Toyota, their absence in the fair has to do with cutting of expenses which are usually associated with such fairs.
A source at the Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) attributed its non-appearance at motor fair to the short notice from the organisers and finance issue.
“Everyone is cutting down on cost and eliminating expenses that have no direct bearing on sales”, the source hinted.
In his views, former Director of Policy and Planning of the NADDC, Mamudu Lukman said, “The industry is now in a state of suspended animation.”
He said the absence of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) is virtually killing the industry.
“We are hopeful that the minister of industry and finance will soon realise that they were wrongly advised and send a revised NAIDP to FEC for consideration. I understand it’s ready but I don’t know what they are keeping it.
“Section 38 of the 2020 Finance act makes it practically unattractive to invest in local value addition like basic assembly. If you can import a fully built pickup at 10%, why will you import the same vehicle in SKD form? It doesn’t make sense. So everyone is now an importer. It would have attracted more participation if tagged special auction for new and used vehicles.
“Workers already trained by the industry are gradually dispersing as the companies cant continue to retain them.
“We just lost Toyota to Ghana. They approached us first. I know. I led the investment delegation to meet with Toyota Tsumitomo in Japan and the company was quite receptive. The only key demand was that Nigeria should legislate the NAIDP, but the president was advised no to sign it. Those who so advised know themselves.”
Also speaking on the motor fair, a senior lecturer at the mass communications department, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Dr Oscar Odiboh said that the low turnout is clearly a backlash from the economic situation, together with the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.
According to Odiboh, due to economic downturn, people have not been able to raise enough money to buy new cars, adding that even tokunbo vehicles were equally affected.
Odiboh, who is also an automotive and communications consultant, said the only people who were able to participate in the motor show were ardent visitors as very few people are buying cars.
“The economic situation has a role to play in it. In 2009/2010, it affected the auto show. The same in 2011- 2015. The show was affected these previous years and attendance was based on the factors I mentioned above”. Dr Odiboh said.
In his views, the marketing manager, Kia Motors, Nigeria, Olawale Jimoh confirmed that Kia Motors attended the event and that it was okay.
Olawale stated that the event was okay and that it afforded them the opportunity to display their new models.
R – L : Abiona Babarinde, GM, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group; Dr. Aliyu Jelani, DG, National Automotive Design and Development Council; Sola Adigun, General Manager Sales, Renault, Coscharis Motors; Olayinka Oladipo, Sales Manager, Renault, Coscharis Motors, during the exhibition of Renault brand of vehicles at the 15th Lagos Motor Fair held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos
Olawale hinted that the fair was the first major event that was able to bring auto assemblers together.
Attributing the low turnout to covid-19 pandemic and reduction in purchasing power of the people, Olawale said “the low turnout is due to Covid-19. Again, part of the cause also is the continued reduction in the purchasing power of the people. There has been continued reduction of the purchasing power of the people because the economy has been unstable, which has affected the auto sector”.
Speaking further, Olawale stated that one good thing about the motor fair was that it gave them the opportunity to interact with the Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Jelani Aliyu who was on ground during the opening ceremony.
“The opening ceremony of the auto fair gave us an opportunity to have first hand experience to see the DG, NADDC. At the show, the DG made some good promises which has to do with government support for the auto sector. If the promises came to fruition, it will assist to boost the industry once again”, Olawale said.
Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering and uplifting vulnerable people, building communities and creating value for all its stakeholders as it announces the commencement of the sixth edition of its flagship CSR intervention, ‘Airtel Touching Lives 6’
Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday, 14th July, during a media launch of ‘Airtel Touching Lives 6’, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said a strong sense of purpose is driving Airtel Nigeria’s relentless focus on sustainable initiatives that can positively impact the various communities where it operates in.
According to Ogunsanya, purpose is powerful as it does not just define an individual or an entity, but drives its every action and decision.
“In 2001, Airtel procured its operating license in Nigeria and in 2021 it has renewed the same operating license for another 10-year-period. While it is possible to procure and renew an operating license, you can only earn a social license.
“A social license is the love, loyalty, friendship and affection you get from the communities where you operate as well as from your different stakeholders. While Airtel has renewed its operating license to provide telecommunications services, it is committed to its purpose of empowering and uplifting people and making a positive and lasting impact in the lives of its stakeholders, thereby earning its social license.
“To realize this vision, the Airtel Touching Lives initiative was created to offer relief and hope to the underprivileged and downtrodden and also inspire the strong and the wealthy to support the vulnerable and the poor.”
L-R; Oluranti Owoborode, Senior Business Manager; Chioma Okolie, Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS); Emeka Oparah, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility; Erhumu Bayagbon, Head, Public Relations and Olusina Adegoke, Regional Operations Director, Lagos Region all of Airtel Nigeria at the Airtel Touching Lives Season 6 Media Launch in Lagos on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.
The Airtel CEO also noted that Airtel Touching Lives 6 will continue to focus on the overall philosophy of the programme while taking cognizance of key events such as the global pandemic that has made life difficult for many people.
“In the last 16 months, our lives have dramatically changed with Covid-19 and its many variants and waves. In our approach for Season 6, we will pay attention to Covid-19 but we will also focus on education and other areas and we will not deviate from seeking out indigent and medically challenged persons who desperately need help,” he said.
Ogunsanya urged the public to be part of the initiative by nominating projects, persons and communities that require support.
According to him, “the nomination process is simple. Once you nominate an individual or cause, our team will review and assess the situation and determine if a follow-up visit will be required. The public can nominate individuals or projects in their communities by dialling 367 or by sending an SMS to the Shortcode, 367. Also mail can be sent to touchinglives@ng.airtel.com ”.
L-R; Oluranti Owoborode, Senior Business Manager; Chioma Okolie, Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS); Emeka Oparah, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility; Erhumu Bayagbon, Head, Public Relations and Olusina Adegoke, Regional Operations Director, Lagos Region all of Airtel Nigeria at the Airtel Touching Lives Season 6 Media Launch in Lagos on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.
Currently in its 6th Season, Airtel Touching Lives is Airtel Nigeria’s flagship corporate philanthropy initiative aimed at providing succor to the underprivileged, hard to reach, vulnerable and disadvantaged in the society.
Airtel Touching Lives takes the format of a reality television show, allowing the public to nominate causes, communities and underprivileged persons/people with special needs. Airtel thereafter evaluates and selects the causes to support and the activities are filmed and broadcasted on terrestrial and satellite television stations with the aim of inspiring other corporate organizations as well as well-meaning individuals to join in supporting the weak across society.
Airtel Touching Lives is about real people, real stories and the real effort of a corporate organization to uplift the needy and underprivileged, emancipating thousands from the shackles of poverty, despair and hopelessness.
Through the programme, Airtel has refurbished an ICT centre for a large community, built modern water borehole systems for large communities, refurbished cancer centers, refurbished a Library for Blind people, rehabilitated an IDP Camp clinic facility, set up small scale trade for underprivileged persons, paid medical bills of underprivileged children and women and flown many persons abroad for treatment, among others.
