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Lagos NIPR Unveils Plans For 6th LaPRIGA

In it’s bid to recognise professionalism and excellence in PR practice, the Lagos State Chapter, the flagship branch of the Nigerian institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has announced that the 6th edition of Lagos PR industry and Awards will hold at the D’Podium international Event Centre, Ikeja on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, the Chairman of the Chapter, Mrs. Comfort Nwankwo explained that the 6th edition Of the LaPRIGA, themed: GLITTERATI, will celebrate the best of the industry and fey stakeholders.

According to her, “the LaPRIGA awards has evolved to become the communications industry Oscars, a prestigious high-profile event showcasing and recognizing excellence in public relations practice in public and private sector.

It is a night of elegance, joy, class and industry with most influential stakeholders.

“Over twenty-five honourees from public relations consultancies, practitioners.

Stakeholders, and the media will smile away with the prestigious LaPRIGA Figurine in different categories. Nominees are voted for by members of the institute.

She added that the LaPRIGA has consigtently recognised corporate organizations for their extraordinary acts of giving, sharing and loving which has made demonstrable difference in host communities and in the lives of specific persons. These prizes are administer by the Advisory Board of LaPRIGA made up of individuals with impeccable character and requisite academic and professional accomplishments.

As a Chapter, we also set aside a percentage of proceeds from the event annually to support our CSR initiative, tagged “Extra Mile Project’ in support of people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

10 December 2021
SERAS 2021: Indigo Bags Best PR/ Communications Agency Promoting Sustainability

Integrated Indigo Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading full-service Public Relations and Event Management Consultancy firms, has emerged as the Best PR/Communications Agency Promoting Sustainability at the Social Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAS) held in Lagos on Saturday, December 4, 2021.

The agency came ahead of other leading agencies such as Chain Reaction, CMC Connect, Social TV, and a South African-based agency, eclat.

According to the local organizing committee of the award, Integrated Indigo Limited won the PR/ Communications Agency Promoting Sustainability category in acknowledgment of its vast contribution and role in promoting the activities of its clients in different areas of sustainability.

In his keynote speech, the founder, SERAS, Dr. Ken Egbas, stated that the award was well-deserved, considering the passion and commitment of the agency in promoting excellence through several sustainability initiatives embarked upon by its clients.

He added that the recognition should serve as a constant reminder for the recipient to continue to do more in impacting society.

Bolaji Abimbola with the award

Speaking shortly after receiving the award, the Managing Director of Integrated Indigo Limited, Bolaji Abimbola, described the award as a testament to the immense capacity of the agency to deliver exceptional services for its clients on sustainability-related issues.

While expressing profound appreciation to the award’s organizer on the recognition, Abimbola dedicated the award to the team and the clients who created the enabling environment for the agency to collaborate and thrive.

“I am highly delighted to receive this award on behalf of the team. As an Agency, we are grateful for the confidence reposed in delivering value to our esteemed clients. This recognition means a lot to us and would further motivate us to do more in promoting our clients in a way that would make their businesses profitable and ensure that society is impacted positively through sustainability,” he said.

8 December 2021
Buhari’s Visit: Lagos Announces Emergency Traffic Diversion On Victoria Island

The Lagos State Government has announced diversion of traffic on Ahmadu Bello Way from Adeola Odeku Intersection inwards Adetokunbo Ademola Roundabout (Eko Hotel), Victoria Island from 8:00am to 2:00pm tomorrow Thursday 9th December, 2021.

Announcing the diversion plan, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde explained that the route will be temporarily unavailable for motorists to ply, assuring that alternative routes have been mapped out to ease traffic flow within and around the designated route.

Though the commissioner did not give reasons for the diversion, The DAILY BELLS reports that it might not be unconnected to President Mohammadu Buhari’s plan to attend a book launch in Lagos on Thursday.

According to the Transport Commissioner, motorists will be diverted to Adeola Odeku via Akin Adesola, adding that motorists will also be diverted to Oyin Jolayemi, Oko Awo and Sanusi Fafunwa as Akin Adesola connecting Ahmadu Bello Way by IBM will be closed off to vehicular movement.

Alternately, Ozumba Mbadiwe will be accessible for motorists to link their destinations as traffic from Ozumba Mbadiwe inbound Adetokunbo Ademola will be diverted to Ajose Adeogun, Sanusi Fafunwa or redirected back to Civic Events Centre axis to continue their journey

The Commissioner reiterated that all feeder roads leading to Ahmadu Bello Way from Adeola Odeku intersection as well as those leading to Eko Hotel from Adetokunbo Ademola Roundabout will be temporarily closed to traffic from early hours of the stated date.

While assuring motorists that signages will be mounted along the routes to guide movements, Oladeinde also affirmed that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA) will be on ground to manage the inconvenience and reduce travel time.

The State Government appealed to the citizenry with emphasis to those who reside and do business at the aforementioned axis to cooperate with the interventions made available to manage movement within and around Victoria Island, stressing that the traffic diversion is for a short period.

8 December 2021
US firm, Equinix, Acquires Funke Opeke’s MainOne, in $320m Deal

Equinix, Incorporated has announced that it is acquiring Nigerian Communications company, MainOne founded by Funke Opeke, in a $320m deal that is set to be sealed in the first quarter of 2022.

According to Equinix, the acquisition is its way of expanding into Africa since MainOne has a presence in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.

The company added that the deal was still subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions including the requisite regulatory approvals.

The company said, “The transaction has an enterprise value of $320m and is expected to be AFFO accretive upon close, excluding integration costs, marking the first step in Equinix’s long-term strategy to become a leading African carrier neutral digital infrastructure company.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Equinix, Charles Meyers, said, “The acquisition of MainOne will represent a critical point of entry for Platform Equinix into the expansive and rapidly growing African market.

Reacting to the acquisition, Opeke said, “Equinix will accelerate our long-term vision to grow digital infrastructure investments across Africa.

“I thank our founding shareholders led by Mr. Fola Adeola, MainStreet Technologies, AFC, PAIDF, FBN, Polaris and AfDB for investing in the MainOne vision to bridge the Digital Divide in Africa. With similar values and culture to what we have jointly built in twelve years, Equinix is the preferred partner for our growth journey.

“The MainOne team is excited about the partnership created through the acquisition, and we look forward to building our next chapter together.”

8 December 2021
CIG boss, Daina Chen Named Nigeria 2021 Auto CEO
- •As GAC GS8 clinches most fascinating SUV award
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Choice International Group (CIG), Chief Diana Chen, has been named as Nigeria’s Auto CEO of the Year.

This was announced during the 2021 edition of the annual Nigeria Auto Awards held in Lagos.

The Nigerian Auto Journalists Association gave the verdict at the ceremony, where Chief Ade-Ojo, founder of Elizade Nigeria Limited fondly called Mr Toyota, was honoured as Pillar of the nation’s auto industry.

Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, and Jelani Aliyu, Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, were also named as Road Safety Personality of the Decade and Auto Personality of the Year (Public Sector) respectively.

Jacky Hathiramani, who is the chief executive officer of Dana Group, emerged as Auto Personality of the Year (Private Sector).

The CIG boss, whose firm represents the GAC auto brand in Nigeria, was given the CEO of the year award as a result of her continuous efforts in pushing the brand among the enterprising young people, lawmakers and senior government officials, raising the standard and image of Chinese products in Nigeria, according to the organisers of the event.

She was also praised for sponsoring a number of sporting and socio-cultural events as well as encouraging celebrities including young artistes to drive and identify with her brand.

Chen, while responding to the award, said she was excited and felt challenged to do more in the coming years.

She urged other major players in the industry, especially the CEOs, to come together and forge a formidable force that could move the sector forward.

“It’s when we come together that we can brilliantly generate ideas on how to improve the industry,” she stated.

Chen, who invited all the CEOs present at the award night to the podium, stressed that the auto industry holds so much power in transforming the national economy if given the right impetus.

She commended the organisers of the award for giving the industry stakeholders a platform to interact every year and promised to sponsor the 2022 edition so that it could be bigger and enable all CEOs in the industry and policymakers to attend.

Meanwhile, one of the models of the GAC brand, GS8, has won the most fascinating SUV award. The vehicle is being sold by the CIG Motor, an arm of the CIG Group.

It was one of the product awards announced at the Nigerian auto industry event.

Chief Diana, who is also vice president of the China-Africa Business Council, is reputed to have successfully managed the CIG for 20 years.

Leveraging her extensive international trade experience and brand operations, she has been able to establish several subsidiaries and overseas branches.

The group’s product line covers many industries providing quality products and services to Nigeria and the African community at large.

Chen was in 2015 conferred with a chieftaincy title in Nigeria, making her the first Chinese female chief in Nigeria. She got two other titles in 2016 and 2021.

Through the China’s ‘One Belt & Road’ and ‘Going Global’ national strategies, she has been promoting cultural China-Africa cooperation & China-Nigeria economic, trade & exchanges.

She is credited to be promoting the industrialization of Africa, by establishing an auto assembly plant in Nigeria.
7 December 2021
PHOTOS: Innoson Bags Auto Manufacturing Company of the Year Award

Guest of honour and FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, congratulates GM, Sales, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM), Nnewi, Mr. Obum Osigwe, who received the award of Auto Manufacturing Company of the Year (Local Content) presented to the indigenous auto maker at the 2021 Nigerian Auto Journalists (NAJA) held at Eko Hotel &, Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos…on Saturday, December 1, 2021

3 December 2021
NIMN Sets Up Committee To Review 2003 Act

The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) Act, which guides the professional conduct of all marketing professionals in Nigeria, has set up a special project team to review the NIMN Act.

According to the Institute, the council at the meeting of the ‘Body of Fellows,’ held recently, inaugurated the special team.

It added that it has solicited the input of the ‘Body of the Fellows’ in the review exercise through making suggestions/recommendations on sections of the Act that should be amended.

Registrar, NIMN, Sydney Ogbodo, while shedding light on the planned review of the Act, revealed that it was enacted in 2003 by an Act of parliament for the great Institute to make rules and regulations that will guide the professional practice and conduct of marketing professionals in Nigeria.

“The purpose of the Institute is to be relevant to its stakeholders, and the review of the Act is to make the Institute more relevant so that whatever constraint that the Council or the Institute is having will be addressed with the amendment of the Act, ”Ogbodo said.

The Registrar mentioned that the Act has served the institute for eighteen years, noting that ‘waters have passed under the bridge’ within the period in question.

His words: “We need to review the Act to be in tune with modern realities in the society. Having operated the Act, we have seen some shortcomings in terms of innovation. We need to review and amend it to be updated so that it can continue to serve the needs of the Institute and members.”

Ogbodo explained that the Institute has sent the copy of the Act to members of the Body of Fellows, asking them to review and suggest areas that should be amended based on their experience.

The copy, he said, will be submitted back to the council on 22 October 2021, after which it will be sent to the National Assembly to re-establish it.

2 December 2021
Top Nigerian Agencies To Lose Practicing Licence Over Failure To Meet Financial Obligations

Some leading Nigerian advertising agencies may loose their licence before the end of this year, for their inability to fulfill financial practicing obligation for two years, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) has revealed.

Registrar/Chief Executive of APCON, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, who read the riot act to the debtor agencies, in a statement titled, “Removal/Suspension of Names from the Register of Advertising Practitioner,” said the decision to sanction erring agencies is in line with APCON’s recently released code of practice.

The statement read in part: “By this notice, registered advertising practitioners are advised to take note that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) shall, in line with section 9(2)(d) and (e) of the Advertising Practitioners (Registration Etc) Act, CAP A7, L.F.N. 2004, remove from the register of practitioners, with effect from Friday 17th December 2021, the names of persons who have failed, refused or neglected to pay the prescribed practice fees in accordance with their category of membership for the past five years from 1st December 2021.”

“Similarly, registered advertising practitioners who are yet to pay the fees prescribed for their categories in accordance with the provisions of Act for the past two to five years from the 1st December 2021 shall have their membership of the profession suspended. Any person whose name has been removed from the register and seeks to be readmitted shall, upon payment of all outstanding fees, present a new application for membership and shall pass through the membership admission process afresh. A suspended member will have a period of one-year moratorium from the date of suspension within which to pay all outstanding fees or have his/her name removed from the register, ”the statement said.

2 December 2021
NAJA Awards: Glitz As Hyundai Creta Shines Again, Emerges Nigeria’s Car Of The Year [See List of Other Winners]
It is official. Hyundai Creta Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) has emerged 2021 Car-Of-The-Year (COTR) in Nigeria.

The sensational Hyundai Creta SUV was pronounced winner ahead of Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio at a colourful ceremony held on Wednesday night at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos,

The annual event put together by Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) had in attendance key stakeholders in the automobile and transport sector in Nigeria including the Corp Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, representative of the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu among others.

Hyundai Creta had in 2018 emerged winner of the coveted prize.

In 2019 Toyota Corolla won the award. The award ceremony did not hold in 2020 due to the ravaging effect of Covid-19 across the world.

Recently launched in the country, the 2021 Car of The Year, the Hyundai Creta, a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) is described as a car with a redesigned shape set to create unparalleled driving experiences for customers.

According to Hyundai, CRETA has been transformed into the ultimate sub-compact SUV for any terrain.

Building on the success of the previous model, the fresh-look CRETA is more spacious, boasts improved features and utilizes state-of-the-art technologies to meet the complete needs of working professionals, young peer group and families.

Mr. Gaurav Vashisht, Head, Sales and Marketing at Hyundai Motors Nigeria, said: “Developing high-quality vehicles are at the core of our vision and this is reflected with the all-new Hyundai CRETA model.

Corps Marshall Boboye Oyeyemi PhD, MFR Emerges Road Safety Personality Of The Decade

“Since the first model was launched, the CRETA has become one of the most popular vehicles and the latest version is set to be a game-changer in the sub-compact SUV segment. From top to bottom, we have crafted the car carefully, pushing the boundaries to ensure that it stands out on the road and is equipped with a wide range of improved features that will deliver even more fun-loving driving experiences.

“Ultimately, the new CRETA is no like no other vehicle. It’s a true urban crossover with loads of versatility that is modern, sensuous and sporty in design.”

Cross section of award winners at the 2021 NAJA Auto Awards
Earlier, in his welcome address, NAJA Chairman, Mike Ochonma, commended stakeholders for their contributions to the development of the sector.

Also, at the 2021 Auto Awards, Mercedes Benz S-class emerged Luxury Car of the year ahead of BMW 7-series.

Other winners at the prestigious Auto Awards, included:
- Luxury SUV Of The Year –Range Rover Velar
- Pick Up Of The Year –Toyota Hilux
- Auto Plant Of The Year (Truck) –Lanre Shittu (JAC)
- Auto Workshop Of The Year –Mandilas Motors
- Truck Of The Year (Heavy Duty) –Shacman (TSS)
- Outstanding Comeback Of The Year –Suzuki (CFAO)
- Most Transformed New Entrant Of The Year –Toyota Starlet
- Electric Vehicle Of The Year –Hyundai Kona
- Most Resilient Auto Assembler –PAN Nigeria Ltd
- Nigeria Auto CEO Of The Year –Chief Diana Chen (Chairman/CEO, CIG Group)
- Auto Personality Of the Year (Public Sector) –Jelani Aliyu MFR (DG, NADDC)
- Auto Personality Of the Year (Corporate) –Jacky Hathiramani (MD, Dana Motors)
- Pillar of Nigeria Auto Industry –Chief Michael Ade-Ojo
- Electric Vehicle Promoter Of The Year –Jet Systems
- Gas Powered Auto Assembler Of The Year –OMAA
- Communication/Marketing Manager Of The Year –Beatrice Oyesile
- Communication/Marketing Manager Of The Year –Funmi Abiola
- Auto Manufacturer Of The Year (Local Content) –Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM)
- Most Innovative Auto Company of The Year –Massilia Motors
- Motor Rally Promoter Of The Year –Work & Play
- Outstanding New Pickup Of The Year –Nord Tank
- Compact SUV Of The Year (Outstanding Design/Technology) –Geely Coolray
- Most Fascinating SUV Of The Year –GAC GS8
- Executive Car Of The Year –Kia K5 (Optima)
- Road Safety Personality Of The Decade –Boboye Oyeyemi PhD, MFR
- Online Auto Company of the year –Autochek
- Mini Bus Of The Year –Toyota Hiace
2 December 2021
MAPOLY Mass Comm Alumni To Hold Reunion, Sets For New Election

The Association of Mass Communication Students Alumni; 1994/1999 set of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State is set to hold its annual reunion party.

The reunion party, which is slated for December 11, 2021 would hold at the prestigious Chios Lounge-Ostra Hall at Otunba Jobi Fele Way at Ikeja, Lagos with the theme: ‘Togetherness.’

Commenting on the reunion, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola, the President said that the theme was aimed at repositioning the association and its members in attaining greater heights despite the myriads of economic challenges, which were further worsened by the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in the first quarter of 2020.

Oyegbola emphasised that in spite of the pandemic, the alumni still held series of developmental programmes, which cumulated with giving back to the society and the Mass Communication Department of its alma mater.

He explained that several activities had been lined up to make this year’s reunion a success, adding that like the past, the alumni would also give back to its immediate environment.

He said: “We want to make this year’s reunion a better success. As we all know, the current executives were sworn-in exactly two years ago. We want to render our stewardship to our mates in the 1994/1999 set.

“Though, we all know that the most parts of 2020 were wasted through the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, but despite this, we put in our best to ensure that we achieved the goals we set for ourselves.

“Within the last two years, we were able to give back to the society; orphanage homes, the mass communication department and organised several other activities that propelled our members forward. We also ensured that we gave a new by-law to the association, which has guided our entire activities. Also, we opened an official account for the alumni, held regular meetings and chart a new course for the association.”

Recall that within the last two years, the outgoing executives donated multi-media equipment to the Department of Mass Communication and presented cash prizes to outstanding students in various mass communication specializations like advertising print journalism, public relations and broadcast.

1 December 2021