The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

Firms partner on electronics, home appliances distrubution

One of Germany’s leading consumer electronics and appliance companies with a global presence, BTECH Germany, has unveiled a range of home appliances and consumer electronic products .

The appliances, according to the company, are carefully designed for the Nigerian market.

The event attracted   guests, business leaders, consumers and industry professionals and distributors.

Cubana FMCG, a consumer goods company, is the Nigeria partner of the German firm.

Its Managing Director Efosa Ogbeide, said he was excited at the partnership.

“Cubana FMCG is proud to partner with BTECH Germany, an expert in the art of precision engineering to bring home to Nigeria the German craftsmanship,” he added.

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   Ogbeide highlighted the strategic expansion of Cubana FMCG into the electronics sector, making BTECH Germany the newest addition to its diverse portfolio which already includes beverages, cosmetics, packaged foods, and now, electronics.

He noted that the firm remains committed to consistency, trust, and quality, which have always set the company apart in the FMCG space, and that the new collaboration is a significant step to further contribute to the unique selling position of the brand and development of the nation at large.

BTECH Germany Chairman, Mr. Emeka Roy Ezeala, an ex-Nigeria national football player, who also played for FC Cologne in Germany, is a major stakeholder.

He highlighted the brand’s global reputation for high-quality household appliances.

He said: “The company’s portfolio includes air-conditioning, cooker, fridge, washing machine and washer dryer, refrigerator- including (Retro Series, French Door, side by side, TOS Evaporator), and mobile TVs,”   he said.

Ezeala noted that having lived in Munich, Germany for a decade, his goal is to bring German quality products to his home country.

According to him, the company plans to expand its production and initiate an assembling plant in Nigeria, and the collaboration with Cubana FMCG is seen as vital to entering the Nigerian market.

The event showcased a range of state-of-the-art appliances, including refrigerators, mobile-televisions, air-conditioners, washing machines, and cookers.

The guests at the event were entertained with inspiring music from a live band alongside exciting activities to encourage connectivity, part of which was a swing-to-win game where two winners emerged and were awarded with a BTECH television and refrigerator.

November 13, 2023
Playhouse breaks new ground at 12

AS part of its 12th anniversary celebrations, digital communications agency, Playhouse Communication Limited, has launched a digital creative economy initiative named, “The StoryStoryHub”.

The initiative, which celebrates the growing contributions of the digital creative industry to the nation’s economy, is part of its corporate citizenship and in appreciation of the nation, clients, and industry that have enabled Playhouse’s success stories these past 12 years.

In communicating the digital creative industry’s radical impact on society, “The “StoryStoryHub” features the stories of the businesses and individuals who are consistently building the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) both at the micro and macro levels.

Playhouse’s MD/CEO, Mr. Tolu Onile-Ere, said: “Our work in the past 12 years with multinationals, emerging corporates as well as small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) validate our corporate conviction that digital marketing communications will aid our national renaissance.

“In other words, service industries such as the creative economy and digital specifically, are low-hanging ‘game changers’ for sustainable economic growth and youth employment.

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“The StoryStoryHub”, draws from our ‘Tales by Moonlight’ experiences, where grandma shared age-old wisdom through folktales. It undergirds a central motivation for this initiative – ‘our solutions are within us’.

“The Digital creative economy is a key part of Nigeria’s economy and the country’s future, and we are keen to showcase the stories of the businesses and individuals using digital to reach new audiences and grow their businesses. Through this initiative, they will share their stories of what they do, and the positive impact it has had on their lives and those of the people around them. This will, hopefully, inspire the next generation of industrialists in the Digital creative economy.”

In recognition of its pioneering role in the Digital Marketing industry, Playhouse Communication Limited has won multiple awards, including Marketing Edge Awards’ Digital Agency of the Year in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Onile-Ere was this year adjudged as the Digital Marketing Personality of the Decade.

November 13, 2023
‘Obasa has set pace with leadership skills’

A Lawmaker, Gbolahan Yishawu, has hailed Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, for bringing his leadership skills to bear on the House of Assembly.

Yishawu, who represents ti-Osa Constituency 2 in the Assembly, paid tribute to Obasa in a congratulatory message on his 51st birthday at the weekend.

He described Obasa as a visionary and distinguished politician committed to charting new paths for national development.

“He has not only distinguished himself as a lawyer, lawmaker and politician, his track-record as a leader is outstanding. He is bold, forthright and visionary, always looking out for ways to chart a new path to enrich process and outcomes.

“Under the leadership of Mr Speaker, the Lagos State House of Assembly has continued to set the pace among the legislative houses in Nigeria.

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“It is on record that under him, the 9th Assembly passed a total of 46 bills and over 120 resolutions, which made huge positive impacts in the development of Lagos State and lives of Lagosians.

Yishawu also lauded the Speaker for his accommodating style.

“He is never afraid to assign responsibilities to others and extend opportunities that help to broaden the experience and record of other legislators in Lagos State and Nigeria generally. He is always looking out for good, progress and development of others.

“This day offers me yet another opportunity to celebrate and appreciate this great man, who I have had the privilege and honour of working with in the last 12 years, eight of those years under his leadership as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” he said.

Yishawu prayed that the Almighty Allah grant him good health and wisdom to continue to positively impact this and future generations.

November 13, 2023
Workshop on safer entertainment industry coming

Seventh Dimension Development Initiative, a non-profit organisation dedicated to societal transformation, has announced a project for a safer entertainment ecosystem in Nigeria.

The initiative is poised to address prevalent challenges within the industry and foster positive change inspired by recent unfortunate events, including the tragic loss of Mohbad.

The event is scheduled for December 6 at Naval Dockyard, Wilmot Point, Victoria Island, Lagos. A statement by the organisation’s Director of Media and Publicity, Abel Augustine noted that it starts with a workshop which seeks to find solutions for a safer environment within the entertainment sector.

“Collaborating with law enforcement agencies, security forces, and industry stakeholders to address challenges faced by artists, including bullying, harassment, and substance abuse. The workshop seeks to find collaborative solutions for a safer environment within the entertainment sector,” he said.

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It will also feature a gala night where guests,philanthropists, influencers, and industry leaders, will be recognised for their outstanding contributions to societal well-being.

He added that on 19th December a musical concert would be the climax of the event as artists, stakeholders, and the public would be involved to emphasise unity and positive transformation within the entertainment industry.

The organisation reiterated its commitment to tackling challenges faced by artists by partnering with the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Ministry of Interior.

It further called for the support of all stakeholders, including government bodies, corporate organizations, artists, and the general public to ensure the success of the project.

November 13, 2023
Odegbami, others grace relationship seminar
- By Onyewuchi Nwachukwu
In a bid to help Nigerians build better relationships, relationship counsellor, Pastor Ruckey Peniel, has hosted dignitaries to this year’s HopeNow Lagos Conference.

The event tagged “Towards Empowering Relationships,” had finance coach, Sola Adesakin, soccer icon Segun Odegbami, media guru Emeka Mba, sports administrator Godwin Dudu-Orumen, Dr. Lanre Olusola, popular gospel artist Dr. Panam Percy Paul and UK based, Dipo Bamuyi in attendance.

Pastor Peniel: “HopeNow is a platform created to discuss everything about relationships. It’s not limited to romantic relationships, but also financial or business relationships. We are here to learn about things that will help our relationships.

“If you don’t like where you are in life, you need to change those you associate with.”

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Adesakin said romantic and non-romantic relationships die prematurely owing to financial challenges, stressing that solid relationship cannot be built without financial wisdom.

In her words: “The finance aspect is one of the main issues destroying relationship. Relationship is not about marriage alone, we have other aspects of it which many don’t see as major. This leads to finance topic in relationship and it cut across…

“With my experience, I believe with financial wisdom we can strengthen our relationships. Money is a tool and as such, money should not be the devil that causes damage in our home.”

Odegbami also contributed to the theme from football perspective, alongside other guest speakers.
November 13, 2023
‘Budgit Tracka’s report on road project misleading’

The Federal Government has accused Budgit Tracka of giving erroneous and misleading information on its intervention project in Saki, Oyo State.

A statement by the Federal Controller of Works (Oyo State), Kayode Ibrahim, said Budgit Tracka did not contact his office before releasing the damaging publication.

Ibrahim reiterated that the contract, ‘Limited Rehabilitation of Opo Malu Road in Saki, Oyo State’, awarded to Messrs Laralek Ultimate Limited, was executed as awarded. He urged the public to disregard any information to the contrary.

The statement reads: “It has come to our notice, the erroneous and grossly misleading information by a certain organisation, ‘Budgit Tracka’, about the Federal Government’s intervention project in Saki, Oyo State.

“The project was awarded January 31, 2022, to Messrs Laralek Ultimate Limited, with the engineer’s order to begin work on March 1, 2022, and a completion period of three months.

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“Location of the project, referred to as Opo Malu area, traverses 11 communities, beginning from Opo Malu junction through Orogun road to Isale Adini, in Saki. It is pertinent to note that prior to this intervention, the road was completely impassable and the communities were cut off from the major road.

“The contractor completed the limited rehabilitation works on schedule and submitted her certificate which was dully processed. The public should know that the leadership of the 11 communities have confirmed their satisfaction with the project through a letter to the Federal Controller of Works, Oyo State.

Budgit Tracka’ did not make any contact with the office of the Federal Controller of Works Oyo State before going to press with the damaging publication. The office of the Federal Controller of Works Oyo State has however sent a detailed photographs of section of the works in progress and completed works with the GPS coordinates to ‘Budgit Tracka’ for confirmation…”

November 13, 2023
Osun monarch seeks security over influx of herders’

The Owa Miran of Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, has appealed to the government for special security surveillance ahead of influx of herdsmen in search of green pasture during the dry season.

Oba Adediran made the appeal during a programme organised by a non-governmental organisation, Edward Omotoso Foundation, which gave grants to 106 business women.

He said: “The government knows the best thing to do ahead of the dry season when herdsmen will invade our community. We deal with this problem yearly. The farmers are not happy to farm again; the people are not ready to struggle again to get food, so we have been starving.

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“The government should help us prevent insecurity in the community ahead of the dry season. Government should give us a special patrol team that will see to this. Government can do this.”

The monarch hailed the Edward Omotoso Foundation for giving back to his community.

Founder of the Foundation, Edward Omotoso, who was represented by Joshua Babajide, said the 106 businesswomen were carefully selected for the grant ‘because they are the ones that hold homes and families together by ensuring that the children are well fed, among others’. “I urge you to make judicious use of the grants,” he added.

November 13, 2023
Wahab: PSP operators must improve service delivery

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has urged PSP waste operators to improve on their service delivery.

Wahab, who met executives of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAM) at the weekend, said their operations must be digitised for transparency and profitability.

“Being aware that PSP operators are in business to make profit and sustain employment, payment must then be digitised for transparency. If, for example, you say you have control of 45 per cent of this business, tell me what 100 per cent of the business is. These are some of the logical questions that demand answers,” he noted.

The commissioner added that the association should ensure proper data collation and enumeration of all commercial and private facilities being serviced, ‘as this process would increase accountability and allow the operators carry out their responsibilities seamlessly for the benefit of all’.

According to him, the government knows that the PSP operators need some interventions, ‘but they must explain why the revenue being generated presently has dropped by 50 per cent within five years’.

He added: “When you had a surplus, did you increase government’s stake? As such, I reject the appeal to reduce the 25 per cent remit to LAWMA. I will not go that route except on two conditions – enumeration of all the houses and digitisation of the number of household facilities across the state.

“The continuous increase in population, with the corresponding increase in waste generation, has necessitated the need for a major change in PSP operations. The present costing is not sustainable in the light of growth to the economy.

“It is high time we reviewed PSP operations. We must be able to speak the truth to one another as this will continually encourage the government to complement what the operators are doing.

“It is time for PSP operators to create an online portal where GPS receivers are installed on their trucks to provide accurate locations always, including numbers of trips undertaken by each operator daily, among other things. This portal will be accessible via internet connection on a range of devices, from desktop computers, to feature phones, regardless of location, age, or socio-economic status.”

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Wahab also urged the operators to prepare to confront issue of waste, saying there was an urgent need to continually clear waste across the metropolis, while a holistic solution was being worked out.

Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, noted that the state ‘is faced with a solid waste management challenge as a result of urbanisation and population growth’

“Residents will expect an uplift in the city’s waste management system, with the resumption of door-to-door residential waste collection by the PSP operators, especially during and after the yuletide,” he said.

President of AWAM Olugbenga Adebola thanked the government for re-awakening the consciousness of residents to be more environmentally-conscious. He said AWAN members are committed and set to continually work with the government, having invested in the project which has contributed a sizeable percentage to the state’s economy.

He lamented that PSP operators operate under a very tough business environment which makes it difficult for them to break even.

At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to reconvene and bring all options to the table towards agreeing on the best way forward.

November 13, 2023
243 get First Class from FUTA, Wesley varsities

A total of 243 students have graduated with First Class from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and the Wesley University, Ondo State.

At Wesley University, 38 of the 348 graduating students made First Class, while 195 of the 3,476 graduands made First Class in FUTA.

Vice Chancellor of FUTA Prof. Adenike Oladiji, at a news conference to herald the 33rd convocation ceremonies, said the institution has geared up efforts to embrace artificial intelligence.

Prof. Oladiji said 1,510 made second class honours (Upper Division), 1,515 made Second Class honours (Lower Division), 254 with Third Class while two students graduated with a pass.

Prof. Oladiji announced Miss Oluwanifemi Favour Olajuyigbe, a student of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, as the best graduating student with a CPGA of 4.93.

Oladiji added that the Minister Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, would deliver the Convocation Lecture titled ‘Knowledge and Research: Foundation of a Prosperous Economy’.

She added: “FUTA aspires to be a world-class University of Technology and Centre of Excellence in Training, Research and Service Delivery. Currently, we have active collaborations with universities in the USA, UK, Germany, China, Brazil, India, and Ghana. The details are in FUTA’s Giant Strides XI.”

Vice Chancellor of Wesley University, Prof. Obeka Sunday, solicited for scholarship award to indigent students of the institution.

Prof. Obeka said the institution has the least fees structure among private universities in the country.

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Registrar of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Dr John Ujo David, who delivered the convocation lecture, said the commercialisation of education in the country.

According to him, the good missionary schools were giving way to commercialised and unaffordable schools or miracle centres.

He said: “It is unbelievable that a church member’s child cannot attend a training centre set up with the proceeds of offerings and tithes which the members also made contributions to, owing to the man’s indigence.

“To this, we ask where lies the service-oriented content in church vision?”

November 13, 2023
‘Ogun agro-cargo airport will be viable’

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has said the state-owned Agro-Cargo International Airport is destined to be a commercially-viable project and game changer in the aviation sector.

According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Air Force (NAF) and Cargo companies have shown interest in the project, with the NCS applying and paying for about 100 hectares of land at the airport.

The governor, at the weekend, said many companies had approached the government to relocate to the airport because of the facilities which will begin operations before the end of the year.

According to him, with the longest runway, the biggest apron and control tower, the cargo airport is destined to be the best in the country.

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He said: “We have been approached by cargo companies that now want to relocate because they have seen the size of our apron at the airport, which is 84,000 square metres. It is four or five times larger than the largest cargo airport in Nigeria. These cargo-based companies have decided that once the airport is ready, they will be flying their cargoes to that airport, and from there trans-ship to other parts of Nigeria and West Africa.

“And when you look at all those to be involved in these cargo operations, from the Agro-producing zone to the Aerotropolis, you can just imagine the economic impacts and the number of jobs that will be created. The impact will also resonate in the entire economy, not just this country, but the entire Africa.

“The Customs Service has also paid for 100 hectares of land at the airport. They have begun construction of their village. This goes to show how much preparation is underway…”

November 13, 2023