The Nation Newspaper

Category: Society

  • Marketing Edge holds summit to mark 20

    Marketing Edge holds summit to mark 20

    One of Nigeria’s pacesetters in brand journalism, Marketing Edge, rolled out the big drums recently to mark its twenty years and unveiled its anniversary logo. Speaking to journalists in Lagos, Publisher/CEO Marketing Edge Group, Mr. John Ajayi said the secrets of his success in the past 20 years is not unconnected to his unwavering commitment, doggedness and resilience as some of his success secrets.

    He advised upcoming journalists to develop multiple competencies at any level they find themselves adding that “you must discover the ‘you’ in you. You must develop who you are. If you have not achieved that, you have a lot of work to do. Everybody is talented. Everybody is gifted. If you are a journalist, you should learn how to be a marketer. It will give you confidence to approach any other thing.”

    He disclosed that as part of the 20th anniversary events, Marketing Edge will organize the 2023 National Marketing Summit and Marketing Edge Brands & Advertising Excellence Awards on September 15th via zoom, while the awards holds on the 16th at the The Podium, Lekki Lagos respectively.

    According to him, the theme of the summit will be tagged The Sustainable Growth of Marketers: Adapting to Challenging Opportunities In a Disrupted World, and will hold virtually. The CEO of Kantar Insight Division, South Africa, Ivan Moroke is expected to lead the discussion session. The awards, he said, will recognize sterling achievements across the nation’s integrated marketing communications spectrum.

    Read Also:Marketing Edge 10 years after: so far, so fair?

    He added that the summit will also be projecting multiple discussion panels with a variety of speakers from renowned brands engaging discussions that will help pave the way for a disruptive marketing and advertising industry. He stated that this year’s edition will take a new dimension from what it is known for, promising to live up to its billing in a much more brand-centric format.

    Mr. Ajayi noted that the summit has thoughtfully curated key discussion themes to address some of the hiccups confronting the rapidly changing Nigeria marketing space, especially in the digital era.

    He said that industry stalwart, Moroke, who will be leading the conversation, will be joined by a variety of speakers and prominent business leaders from renowned brands. He affirmed that the audience will be highly inspired as they would witness interactive sessions led by multiple discussion panels.

    According to him, this year, the industry will witness a special edition of the summit, in commemoration of its 20th anniversary. He noted that the Annual Summit and Brands & Marketing Awards of Excellence were set up to promote and pioneer marketing excellence in Nigeria and across the globe. He added that it is with the aim of fostering conversations to enable professionals in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) industry to navigate the torrents of economic waves in an emerging and unstable economy with success stories.

  • Modupe Olusola’s simplicity

    Modupe Olusola’s simplicity

    Modupe Olusola is, by every standard, a woman of pride. She is thriving in a male-dominated world, while her brilliance, intelligence, nature and ability to deviate from the norm have carved her a niche in banking and agricultural sectors. Now she operates in the hospitality sector as Transcorp Hotel boss.

    Blessed with beauty and graceful gait, Modupe, who is a graduate of the University of Leicester and the University of Kent in the United Kingdom, has a very sociable and affable personality. While many see her thrive now and are envious of her success they are not aware of the hard work and resilience she put in before she could attain her current height in life. Many just see the glory but have forgotten the process that led to the life-changing story.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Hotel has indeed proved that creating streams of opportunity and thriving well in any field you are in is not just by fluke but by putting the right operational elements to work.

    As the head of Marketing at the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Modupe was a workaholic who invented innovative ways that contributed to the bank’s leap in fortune. He ensured she drove the marketing of the bank with ideas that were impeccable this saw her rise to being the second woman to be the CEO of Transcorp in 2020 and to date, investors are super excited with the spike in Return on Investment while customers of the Hospitality hub in Abuja have commended the innovative ways of service delivery all facilitated by Modupe.

    Today, while she sits on top the billion dollars investment, many think she is supposed to be inaccessible to people but the reverse is the case.

    Modupe has turned herself into an open book, maintaining a respectful and playful nature with everyone around her regardless of age and strata.

    She displayed this last week Saturday at the 60th birthday bash of Nike Faleti at the Congress Hall, Transcorp in Abuja where she went around to ensure her friends were having fun and enjoying their stay.

    Despite delegating work to some members of the staff, she personally went round all the tables to meet the needs of guests, attending to their requests. Those close to her disclosed that she is a woman who was trained to never look down on anyone.

  • Another Mohammed at Information ministry

    Another Mohammed at Information ministry

    After Alhaji Lai Mohammed’s eight years in the saddle now is Mohammed Idris Malagi at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation. Under Lai, the ministry encompassed culture and tourism. It is now broken into three.  Arts Culture and Creative Economy is now under Hanatu Musawa while Tourism is headed by Lola Ade John, both women. With information under Malagi, is National Orientation, in other words, the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

    Malagi a public relations practitioner is Blueprint newspaper publisher  and proprietor of a radio station WE 106.5 FM Abuja. He was the general secretary of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), which makes him eminently qualified for the job.

    At the maiden meeting with heads and management staff of the agencies and departments under the ministry at the Radio House, in Abuja, the minister, who said he was familiar with the information industry, pledged that dissemination of credible information would be his watchword. “Mr President did not tell me to come and lie and this is a covenant I am going to have with you and Nigerians.

    “Mr President is somebody who is a stickler for honesty, truth, and transparency. He has directed that we own up where there are mistakes, own up where we err, and we should not be shy to say ‘look, this is wrong, we are going to correct it’.

    “National Orientation will also be at the core of this ministry, in addition to the job of information dissemination as we know it,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Lai Mohammed visits Edun, seeks FG patronage on strategic communication

    The minister is obviously still studying the files. He has started slowly and will need to be steady as he gets off the block and hit the ground running. The earlier he did that, the better. The government’s information machinery needs to move at the same frenetic pace the activities of governance are moving under the Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.

    Malagi’s response to Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki’s tirade on Federal Government over palliatives distribution, his visit to the family of the late Pa Taiwo Akinwunmi, the designer of the national flag and his weekend’s visit to his home Niger State, are the only ‘noticeable’ actions from him since he took office.

    How about revitalising the NOA? This is an all-important government agency, with offices in all the 774 local government councils and states capital. The revving up of NOA can go a long way in information dissemination and giving Nigerians the needed nationalism orientation, which is very much desirable at this time. What of the NTA, the National Television which lags behind in its output, compared to it private sector owned competitors?

    The last time an attempt was made to retool and reform the NTA was when Ben Murray-Bruce was its Director-General.

    And the FRCN? This is the real galvaniser of the grassroots, especially in the North. Malagi’s job is cut out for him. He needs not waste time at all.

    The biggest challenge for him is yet ahead because the opposition has its dagger always drawn to stab the government in the heart. Will Malagi be able to rise up to the testy time ahead? And for the newspaper, which is going through economic crisis, succor will come if the price of the most important component of publishing, the newsprint, can become more affordable.

    While the long term goal will be when this consumable is produced locally, the short and medium term action should be the assistance from the government to facilitate the classification of newsprint as an education material.

    This done, newsprint will be imported duty-free. This way its cost will go down. Newspapers can then breathe and keep the cover price as low as it is to get more Nigerians reading and getting correct information at this time of prevalent fake news.

  • Aiyedatiwa in storm’s eye

    Aiyedatiwa in storm’s eye

    Ondo State Deputy Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is a man of character who has believed in hard work, resilience, sagacity and loyalty all his life.

    He is a principled man who believes anything worth doing at all is worth doing well. Hence, the reason his rise was astronomic. 

    Outside politics, Aiyedatiwa is a successful businessman with very sharp business acumen and he is  highly cerebral. He is notable for his sociable skills and ability to turn every misfortune into a wide range of opportunities.

    His foray into politics is divine because he is a man who had always wanted to serve his people so when the opportunity to become the Deputy Governor of Ondo State came; after being a commissioner for the Niger Delta Development Corporation NDDC.

    He never hesitated to take the opportunity; ensuring maximum loyalty to his boss and also keyed into his vision and mission to turn Ondo state to an all-round destination for investment in the aspect of rural and urban renewal, educational investment, commerce and industrial revolution, infrastructural development, health investment, social amenities investment among others. For his deep-rooted loyalty, his boss has often disclosed in public how lucky he is to have a very loyal loyal deputy like him who would take a bullet for him when the need arises.

    Read Also: Let Aiyedatiwa be, group warns detractors

    While Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was away on his medical leave and transferred power to the soft-spoken Ilaje-born man, Aiyedatiwa ensured no lacuna was in the government as he swiftly moved into the capacity by ensuring all critical stakeholders within the government worked and functioned optimally.

    Despite some moves to truncate his tenure as acting governor, Aiyedatiwa infused his native intelligence to manage all sundry to ensure no lapses were found in running the affairs of the state. While he was in charge; his hard work and vision was evident as the state was doing well with optimal functionality.

    For his unwavering commitment to the people of Ondo State and his unshaken loyalty to his boss, he was commended by political pundits for doing a good job while his boss was away, despite the odds not favoring him. He was admonished and celebrated by his boss, who resumed duty a few days ago, behind closed doors.

  • Zulum’s 100 days wonder

    Zulum’s 100 days wonder

    Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum’s name connotes competence, accountability, passion and resilience. He is one of the few public office holders who has shown that governance is not rocket science. The way he gdischarges his duties as the number one man in the state is worth emulating.

     Despite a crisis-ravaged state, Zulum is not relenting in ensuring that the people who elected him into office are enjoying the dividend of democracy. He is doing that with love in his heart; those who never supported his bid to be governor have also commended him for his uprightness.

     Ever since he assumed office in 2019, his style of leadership has been quite different. He is not the type that would relax and work from a safer haven; he is also on the move experience and sympathizes with people in the state who are going through hard times as a result of insurgency that has displaced many from their homes.

     Marking the 100 days of his second term in office according to his campaign promise, he executed 77 projects, programmes, key releases and interventions. Zulum constructed four primary healthcare centres each of them with 30 beds capacity and nurses quarters. These primary healthcare centres are located at Limankara in Gwoza, Kaleri in Mafa, Zarmari in Konduga and Shuwari II in MMC. He also released N2 billion for disbursement of non-interest loans to civil servants. There is also the doubling of gratuities payment from N1.2 billion annually to N2.4 billion. 

     He procured 50 brand new patrol vehicles and 300 brand new motorcycles for security outfits, 30 city buses, and 25 coaster buses allocated to civil servants, procurement of 3,000 electric bicycles. He promoted the growth of agriculture with the procurement of 471 plough and harrows for 312 tractors, distribution of 100 trucks of fertiliser to farmers across the state, and the distribution of livestock feeds to 300 farmers in Jere, Konduga and Mobbar LGAs.

    He also ensured the distribution of food palliatives to 120,000 households across Gwoza, MMC, Jere, Kukawa, Mafa, Bama and Damboa LGAs and the resettlement of IDPs from Bukarti and Jibrent villages at Molai 500 housing estate. He also commenced the reconstruction/rehabilitation of Mallam Killumuri village in Konduga, and Bama town phase II, construction of 72 units of two-bedroom flats in 12 blocks of storey buildings around Ramat Polytechnic and ensured the completion and equipping of 4 Vocational Training Institutes in Biu, Shani, Mafa and Magumeri towns.

  • Ifeanyi Ubah remembers aides on birthday

    Ifeanyi Ubah remembers aides on birthday

    Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah remains the proverbial cat with nine lives. He has survived many attempts on his life.

    Since his foray into politics, one thing has been constant for him — his ability to bring about the much-needed change to his people and give them the dividend of democracy at all costs.

    At the run-up to the last general elections, his detractors thought he would not be re-elected but the Nnewi-born Capital Oil boss showed that he had, indeed, come of age as a politician, and gathered the much-needed experience.

    He had since prioritised his people, investing heavily in security, health, education, road rehabilitation, bill sponsoring, women and youth empowerment, among others.

    Read Also:Alleged false claims: Court fixes October 18 for Ifeanyi Ubah’s arraignment

    Today, in his quest to end the weekly Sit-At-Home order in his senatorial district, which is affecting trade and commercial activities, Ubah is at loggerheads with some forces but has remained firm in his decision to liberate his people.

    When Ubah celebrated his 52nd birthday on September 3, it was with no fanfare, many thought it was going to be the usual jamboree.

    On that day, he took time to reflect on memories in the run-up to the 2023 general election when he was ambushed in Anambra State by unknown gunmen, who killed over eight of his escorts and personal aides.

    His birthday afforded him the opportunity to remember his aides who died in the ugly incident.

    Those close to him said he was almost moved to tears while remembering and narrating his ordeal to people around him. He was said to have offered prayers for the deceased while also reiterating his commitment to taking care of the children and family of the deceased.

  • Amina Augie shines at 70

    Amina Augie shines at 70

    Retired Supreme Court Justice Justice Amina Adamu Augie is by one of the brightest legal minds in Nigeria.

    With the fearlessness of a tiger and the heart of a lion, she has remained a force in the legal profession with an unbiased view in any case she has handled.

    While in service, she paid attention to every detail and remained outstanding in her career which spanned over four decades.

    Last Sunday, she celebrated her 70th birthday and retirement amid fanfare.

    Read Also: Praises for Justice Augie

    Many dignataries attended her birthday bash in the heart of Abuja.

    Still looking elegant, Augie showed that age does not define poise. Clad in a champagne colour free-flowing gown, she was a show-stopper.

    Her birthday saw many who usually dids not attend parties or social functions. 

    Many people came out of their shells to celebrate the woman who had shattered the ceiling in the legal profession.

    Some guests said interesting and sweet things about the woman who cares deeply for those around her.

    The birthday girl with her ravishing smile and warm nature personally welcomed her guests.

  • Imo First Lady hosts August meeting

    Imo First Lady hosts August meeting

    The First Lady of Imo State Chioma Deborah Uzodimma has hosted this year’s August meeting.

     She has displayed that age does not determine wisdom as she possesses uncommon wisdom laced with witty, highly cerebral and hospitable demeanour.

     When it comes to hospitality, the first lady has a mastery of it, hence, anytime she hosts an event with her husband, the roll call will be quite massive with everyone willing to attend.

     Former President Buhari visited Imo State twice in the spate of six weeks during his second tenure in office and the presidential entourage confessed that the first lady is accommodating, vibrant, mobile and homely in her treatment to not only those in Government but to the common anyone and everyone, who comes in contact with her.

     Since the twilight of the Governor Uzodimma’s administration, the graduate of Law from the Imo State University, Owerri, through her Goodhope Flourish foundation, has remained a strong advocate for social, gender and humanitarian causes who has dedicated her life to the welfare of the downtrodden.

    Read Also:Banks, TUC shun NLC strike in Imo

     Despite being a young mother of four, she oozes class and also mentors old women who heed to her advice. This has stood her out within Imo State as she is well-loved by all sundry most especially for her role in promoting women and children-oriented programmes.

     She has carried out charitable donations to many organizations catering specifically to widows, children and physically challenged individuals, contributing her time and resources to many motherless baby’s homes in and around Imo State.

     Recently, she hosted the annual Imo State Women August meeting on Friday, September 1 at the Hero’s Square in Owerri and it was a massive gathering of women from all across the state fitted in their native attires showcasing their numbers and outfit in aesthetically elegant parade.

     She, also, had in attendance the presence of the First Lady of Nigeria Oluremi Tinubu who stood as mother of the day. She paid attention to the welfare of all the women who attended and also ensured those eligible for cash and other palliatives donated by Tinubu were distributed accordingly.

     At the Government house, she treated her guests to an array of sumptuous meals and high-cost drinks as she went around to ensure everyone was treated to royalty the Imo state standard.

  • Alake of Egba plans big for 80th birthday

    Alake of Egba plans big for 80th birthday

    In Yoruba land, one of the few monarchs well loved and respected by all is Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake of Egba land.

    Some claim his affable nature and deep-rooted knowledge of the customs, culture and tradition of Yoruba people and of Egba land seem to be one of the reasons he is revered.

    Some claimed his lifestyle as one king who does not associate himself with pettiness and who is not economical with the truth makes him an epitome of royalty. He is a  fearless monarch with ncommon tenacity.

    Since his ascension to the throne of his forebears in 2005, he has brought development to his immediate environment, using his goodwill and clout to ensure a major transformation project is facilitated in his kingdom.

    Read Also: Alake of Egba relishes time at Lagos Country Club

    Apart from this, he has thrown his door open to everyone and also proffers solutions to problems within his capacity and has also been a father to all.

     The former military officer has constantly called for the unity of Nigeria and also preached peace at every opportunity.

    Yes, for a monarch who is selfless, he deserves to be celebrated.

     As the monarch celebrates his 80th birthday on September 14, joining the league of octogenarians, sons and daughters of Egba land have started to making plans to celebrate his Imperial Majesty, who would have travelled for his annual holiday abroad.

    During the celebration, no less than 3,000 people will benefit from free medical care, including eye surgeries.

  • Ooni meets Uganda’s President Museveni to discuss African economic prosperity

    Ooni meets Uganda’s President Museveni to discuss African economic prosperity

    In continuation of his parley with world leaders across the continent to foster bilateral relationships, cultural exchange, and promotion of peace and stability, Arole Oduduwa, Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II CFR is currently on a 7-day working visit to the Republic of Uganda.

    The monarch was in Uganda on the invitation of President Yoweri Museveni and his wife Mrs Janet Museveni to celebrate the couple on their wedding anniversary and vow renewal in the president’s hometown; Rukungiri, Uganda.

    After attending the ceremony, Ooni Adeyeye met privately with President Museveni at the State House in Entebbe to discuss unity and strengthening bilateral relationships among Africa.

    Ooni alongside his entourage which comprises his wife Olori Temitope Ogunwusi and Alara of Ilara-Epe kingdom Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo woos the Ugandan Leader on the need to foster more trade and business relationships between Nigeria and Uganda, while making a case for more investment, need for economic stability across Africa.

    He, however, noted that traditional rulers and their institutions across Africa should bridge the gap between the populace and the government.

    He also laid emphasis on traditional rulers acting as catalysts for change influencing sociocultural development and economic emancipation within their domain.

    Ooni disclosed that when the general populace is happy with the policies of government with enough investment in infrastructural deficit, creation of Jobs and employment, ease of doing business, and investment in education, healthcare, and social amenities it will further rekindle the strong hope the people have in democracy.

    Read Also: Ooni congratulates Olajide John on emergence as CCA chairman

    He said: “It is interesting to be here and also to celebrate with His Excellency on the occasion of his wedding anniversary. As a traditional leader and the Progenitor of the Oduduwa race, it is essential to speak on the need for peace and economic liberation among Africans. As leaders, we need to prioritise our people’s welfare and also have it in mind that there can never be a leader without followers.”

    “I want to thank President Museveni for prioritising his people and speaking in one voice with other African leaders on issues affecting the growth of Africa. Africa must rise to the task ahead and maintain a stable economy. As leaders, we must promote more trade activities among ourselves and also give room for more investment to drive the change so Africa can be self-sufficient in all ways.”

    “The borderless African continent is an unexploited asset that is critical to unlocking the economic potential of African countries. The vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is one of the flagships for the continent’s shared wealth and economic boom. It is a game changer that can provide a tariff-free framework that should have been in existence since 1957 when Ghana became the first African country to achieve independence from colonial rule. It is time to build the “Africa that We Want,” not as a slogan, but as an epic movement that restores Africa’s honour, pride, and reverence, from aid to trade.”

    Ooni further harped on the Global Peace Agenda and his Ojaja Pan-African Business Initiatives currently extending its tentacles outside the shores of Nigeria and his pursuit of welfarism for people of African descent, unification of African people globally for peace and economic stability. He is also ready to partner with the Ugandan government to invest more in sectors that need to be revitalized.

    The monarch stated: “I am here to let you know that Ojaja Pan African initiative is ready to invest in Uganda to further enhance social cultural and economic ties amongst Africans. We Africans are so close to one another but very far in our dealings and relationships. Nobody will help us bond and bind together but we Africans. Let’s keep using what connects us much more than what divides us to Foster peace and continental economic enhancement.”

    President Museveni also thanked His Imperial Majesty for honouring his invitation and disclosed his readiness to work with his majesty on the need to drive more trade and investment opportunities to Uganda.

    The monarch added: “I am pleased to have you here your majesty and I am a great admirer of you and what you have been doing most especially women and youth empowerment and your promotion of culture and trade across Africa and outside the continent. We Ugandans are open to more partnerships. We are open to synergizing with you and the Nigerian people. We are brothers and we are bound by one ideology as Africans so we must always remain one regardless of anything that happens. My door is always open for you and your team. We will work with you and ensure a robust bilateral relationship between Uganda and Nigeria.”