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Tag: campaign

  • Dangote, others flag off campaign on cooking gas

    Dangote, others flag off campaign on cooking gas

    Dangote Group yesterday flagged off a nationwide pilot scheme to encourage Nigerians to embrace the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LP Gas), called cooking gas.

    At the event held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Vice President of the Group and President of the Gas to Health Initiative (GTHI), Sani Dangote, said the initiative was aimed at protecting the health of Nigerians and preserve the environment from deforestation.

    Dangote, who also launched a new book by the Secretary of GTHI, Mrs. Betty Ugona, said the book addresses key issues of acceptability of LP Gas, focusing on four cardinal elements: efficiency, benefits, sensitisation and the empowerment of core users of LP Gas.

    He bought 200 copies of the book titled: “Who Cooks it Feels the Brunt.”

    “The book strikes on the root causes of low LP Gas usage and offers practical steps to achieving improved usage of LP Gas,” he said.

    Dangote said with abundance resources and a population of over 165 million, Nigeria still ranks amongst the lowest in LP Gas consumption in ECOWAS member countries, with a per capita consumption of about 1.8kg, trailing countries like Senegal at 8.46kg, Cote D’Ivoire at 9.3kg and Ghana at 10kg per capita.

    He regretted that, despite being rated as the leading producer of LP Gas in Africa, with annual production of about 3.2 million MT and 12th in global ranking, the country still ranks abysmally low in terms of consumption of LP Gas and its application to other relevant domestic, industrial and social purposes.

    According to him, about 56 per cent of energy needed for cooking within Nigeria is supplied by fuel wood (firewood), particularly in the rural areas, adding that the effect of this is the negative impact on citizens’ health, the environment and the economy.

    “Deforestation and its effects (desertification, soil erosion, landslides, etc.), which can be traced directly to the high demand for cooking energy, has become a major issue in Nigeria over the years as we currently lose about 350,000 – 400,000 hectares annually,” he said.

    Dangote said in view of its environmental and socio-economic malaise, there is an urgent need to  switch from firewood and other alternative sources of energy to LP Gas.

    “While there are a number of reasons for the low rate of success in the switch to LP Gas, inadequate awareness and sensitisation of the populace has been identified as the greatest culprit,” he added.

    He stated that the flag off of the “Operation Mama Put/Local Food Vendors Conversion to LPG Usage” nationwide project is notable, as the project is designed to take a practical approach to addressing this lack of awareness and sensitisation.

    He said: “By providing the ‘Mama Put’ women with LP Gas starter kits, the project hopes to make converts, and eventually, ambassadors of these members of the community, who will in turn create micro awareness of the benefits of LP Gas consumption.”

    Chairman of the occasion Mr. Anthony Ogbuigwe regretted that despite that Nigeria produces 10 times the LP Gas it consumes,  the country ranks very low in Africa.

    Mrs. Ugona attributed the success of the campaign to the support of its sponsors, which include Mr. Dangote, saying that the initiative has also received support from market women. They are those in Utako Market, Garki International Market, Garki Model Market, Mpape Market Yanyan Market and Kubwa market among others.

    She said studies have shown that about 2.6 billion people around the world rely on traditional use of bio-mass for cooking and heating purposes, which results in the inhalation of toxic fumes leading to over four million premature deaths annually.

    At the event, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, who was represented by a Deputy Director, Mrs. Osunkoya O, said the ministry was ready to support the initiative as its aims were in line with those of the ministry.

    She said deforestation and gas flaring were of utmost concern to the ministry. “The initiative will without doubt help in the protection and preservation of the environment and the forest in particular,” she said.

    The Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of Ultimate Gas Limited and Public Relations Officer of the initiative, Mr. Auwalu Ilu, said the initiative became necessary in view of the health hazards the use of firewood poses to Nigerians.

  • On campaign trail of Seriake Dickson

    On campaign trail of Seriake Dickson

    Politics remains one huge fascination especially to the aficionados in spite of delimiting factors for genuine democratisation of the process and benefits in our clime. Those who share this undying love for the prospects which politics offers the people for a better life in a just and humane society are wont to believe that despite the imperfections, some politicians are still worthy of leadership and should be supported in their aspirations to effect a change.

    But regrettably, this class of political leaders is few as most of those who fill the political space are seen as jobbers and charlatans, who resorted to politics as a short cut to wealth and fame. And this may be a disincentive for the people to trust and believe politicians when in their usual cycle of electioneering campaign, they go round shopping for votes.

    Thus, the challenge is for the electorate, through relevant civic education and activism, to demand for a saner approach to our politics which should seek to enhance true development and welfare of the people, a new social contract of commitment that emphasizes genuine public service rather than self-serving orientation of a political class common in the polity.

    These were issues of interest and due observation when this reporter was recently on the campaign trail of the governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, who significantly comes across as one politician making a difference in the proper sense of the utility of politics as a means to renewal.

    Perhaps, the question of values and individual convictions and of course the fervent recognition of the critical role of history in the affairs of men and verdict of posterity may be the driving force but no matter, Seriake Dickson is an emerging political leader who may play a bigger role on the national stage in the future. The nation certainly needs many of those with his attributes in our collective quest for development rather than the usual refrain of a nation of potentials.

    Dickson is real, visionary and engaging. He is arguably a grassroots mobilizer, a proud Ijaw man, pro-people and obviously a liberal. I looked at him closely, interpreted his thoughts and came to the conclusion that Bayelsans are lucky to have such a brilliant man as their governor. The tremendous achievements of his on-going first term, particularly the quality of his work, the deep thoughts shaping them and future implication for a prosperous Bayelsa State only formed background of my assessment and judicious verdict.

    Following his campaign trail reveals a man genuinely loved by his people. In Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, the “Community-to-Community meet the people tour” afforded the governor the opportunity to tell his story of a successful first term now winding down and prospects of a re-election to do more by his restoration administration and the need for the people’s endorsement.

    In presenting his case for re-election, the governor’s concern had been the need for continuity of his vision where Bayelsa State could continue to enjoy uninterrupted development in infrastructure provision, particularly opening up the state by connecting those inaccessible but important locations by roads and bridges, thereby enhancing commerce and civilization, manpower development through his free and compulsory education, scholarships,  health, job creation and the very broad plans for the diversification of the state economy focusing on such ambitious projects like the Agge Deep Seaport, the LNG in Brass, investment in power generation and the eco-industrial park as well as the completion of the airport at Amassoma now about 60 per cent ready. He is also interested in further entrenching a governance culture based on transparency and accountability just as he would want the security of the state maintained to avoid a relapse to the past.

    It was fun all the way as he presented the serious issues in the campaign to the people, mocking Sylva and the APC either in his mannerism, gesticulations or humorous demonstrations of the evil he said the APC constitutes if allowed any opportunity in the state and his repeated admonition to reject APC and its candidate, Sylva, like a plague.

    Although the presence of APC in Bayelsa State is a good thing in a democracy as it creates room for competition, its possible impact in the December 5 governorship election may not be quite positive as many had thought. Hope seems dimming following a number of strategic errors and effects especially on the part of Sylva and the inability to manage the initial semblance of success of the APC in Bayelsa State. The expectation is that one would see its huge presence in the state, especially the capital, Yenagoa, holding big rallies, campaigning strongly but it wasn’t so. Unlike the governor, who is gaining ground by the day from very strategic constituencies like one witnessed during the 4th Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day where core and influential clergymen openly endorsed him for re-election with such a very large crowd in attendance.

    On the campaign trail, Dickson’s deep connection with the people says something about him as a politician. Besides being a compelling campaigner, hitting on the soul of those issues and concerns the people could relate with, he bonds so well with the folks as one of them, demystifying the governor status. For this street sense of believing Governor Seriake Dickson is your next door neighbor kind of leader, he is better recognised and called the ‘Contriman governor” and for his reliability as one governor who fulfills his promises you hear of “Talk na do governor” among the folks.

    At Swali, a community in Yenagoa Local Government, Dickson asked the people to remember he is a man who never forgets his friends and people he met along the way, intimating that he rewards loyalty and that those who work hard enough to actualize his re-election would be compensated. He also repeated similar messages at Abola, Azikoro, Okaka, Ekeki, shaking hands with the commercial tricycle riders and passengers  to press home his message as he walked the over one kilometer road to attend  yet another town hall meeting at Kpansia, a community in the state capital which ended late into the night.

    It is still early to pronounce a definite verdict but based on political tendencies observed and the possible effect on the election -day, Dickson is favoured to be re-elected as a reward for his performance and perhaps with a tinge of sentiment as the APC has yet to prove the important point of being truly a credible alternative.

    • Daniel Markson is the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor

  • ‘Take campaign on corruption to the grassroots’

    The Akwa-Ibom State chapter of Buhari/Osinbajo Supporters’ Club (BOSC), a socio-political platform, has been advised to intensify the enlightenment campaign against corruption and indiscipline by reaching out to people at the grassroots.

    National President of the organisation, Prince David Benjamin gave the advice while inaugurating officers of the state executive of the group in Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom state capital.

    Benjamin stressed that sensitisation campaign at the grassroots level was necessary because the call for change of behaviour towards corrupt practices concerns every Nigerian and not only the leaders.

    His words: “The ongoing battle against corruption and indiscipline is not just about the people at the top. It is about every Nigerian because the whole system is corrupt. The major objective of Buhari/Osinbajo Supporters’ Club is to preach the message of discipline and to eschew corruption to every Nigerian, particularly those at the grassroots for them to understand why we must shun corruption.

    “I, therefore, urge you the newly inaugurated executive officers of Akwa-Ibom State chapter of BOSC to play committed and dedicated role towards the actualisation of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption agenda. You must make sure that the message gets to all the nook and crannies of the state.

    “To change the people’s mindset is taxing; but I have the strong belief that we will get there; that we, as a people, will achieve the change that we have been yearning for.”

    He added that the group was open to Akwa-Ibom indigenes and residents that are already in support of the fight against corruption and indiscipline, irrespective of party affiliation.

    The Deputy National President of the group and a governorship aspirant of Katsina State, Alhaji Lawal Maina, wife of former deputy governor of Ogun State and member, Board of Trustees of BOSC, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye were among the national representatives from the six geopolitical zones present at the occasion.

  • ITTF World Tour: Quadri begins campaign in men’s singles

    ITTF World Tour: Quadri begins campaign in men’s singles

    Aruna Quadri will today in Warsaw begins his campaign in the men’s singles event of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour tagged Polish Open.

    The 2014 ITTF Star Player who recently led Sporting Lisbon to clinch the Portuguese Super Cup has been seeded number 25 among the 32 top players seeded for the men’s singles event.

    Aware of the task ahead of him in the main draw, Quadri believes anything is possible as he may likely battle World number two in the second round of the competition.

    In the doubles, Quadri partnered his continental rival, Omar Assar of Egypt and they began their campaign from the preliminary yesterday against their Indian countparts.

    Meanwhile, in Warsaw, China’s Ma Long, fresh from his success at the recent Liebherr 2015 Men’s World Cup, is the top seed; he is followed by his colleagues Xu Xin, Fan Zhendong and Zhang Jike.

    Japan’s Jun Mizutani is the next in line, ahead of Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov; Portugal’s Marcos Freitas and Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan complete the top eight names.

    However, of that illustrious group, only Chuang Chih-Yuan has completed the mandatory requirement of competing in five Tour tournaments in the year to qualify for the Finals.

    Poland will be his sixth appearance. Currently Chuang Chih-Yuan is named at no.11 (450 points) and can reasonably expect to be one of the 16 names that compete in the Men’s Singles event in Lisbon.

  • Sylva to Dickson: don’t campaign with falsehood

    Sylva to Dickson: don’t campaign with falsehood

    The Timipre Sylva Campaign Organisation (TSCO) has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate and Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson to adopt issue-based campaigns ahead of the December 5 governorship election.

    TSCO said it was unbecoming of the governor and his campaign team to resort to defaming the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate and former Governor Timipre Sylva as their sole campaign strategy.

    In a statement by its spokesman Doifie Buokoriba, TSCO noted that Dickson’s campaign strategy was centred on falsehood and deceit.

    It said such a strategy would fail the Bayelsa PDP and its governorship candidate as it failed their principal, former President Goodluck Jonathan, in the last elections.

    TSCO said: “We are disturbed that a sitting government desiring re-election has taken to a campaign of calumny, deception and lies as well as a sole election strategy. In lie after lie, which we have extensively exposed, they have tried to malign the character of Sylva. But it is clear that Dickson and his co-travellers will fail.

    “They will fail in Bayelsa State, as we are living witnesses to how such campaign of slander and mudslinging fell flat at the federal level, when it was applied by their principal, Dr. Jonathan, during the last presidential election. This fact is indubitable, and we ordinarily would not have bothered about Dickson’s and PDP’s mission of self-destruction in Bayelsa State.

    “But we need to warn that in this election, we are not in a contest for who would abuse most, but in a contest to improve the lives of the people of Bayelsa.

    “What comes out clearly in the current well-funded media campaign against Sylva is that it carries the official stamp of the Dickson administration. The visibly unimaginative and dull anti-Sylva publications have emanated from the Government House in Yenagoa, as the email addresses, forwardings and other imprimaturs of the Dickson government on them show.

    “Obviously, the campaign of calumny against Sylva is a deliberate policy of the Dickson administration, his only election plan, because, as we have repeatedly pointed out, he is evidently incompetent and ignorant of any achievements to campaign with.

    “In their latest rantings, they claimed that Sylva was bankrupt. Well, while Dickson is celebrating that Sylva is bankrupt, we are celebrating Dickson’s imminent defeat.”

    TSCO said Sylva, on his facebook page, challenged Dickson to show what he restored in the last four years.

    “But what is this obsession with Sylva’s finances? We thought Dickson’s folks should be preoccupied with rolling out his achievements in government. The people want to see what has been ‘restored’ these four odd years,” TSCO quoted Sylva as saying.

    It added: “The celebration of Sylva’s imagined insolvency is absurd. Simple Political Science 101 teaches that once a candidate emerges through a primary, the responsibility of funding his or her campaign rests squarely with the political party. It is unfortunate that Dickson is personalising the coming election in Sylva.

    “While Dickson pretends that he is not interested or interfering in the affairs of Sylva and his party, the APC has become his nightmare. One thing is clear to the whole state: Sylva will win…”

  • Dangote Foundation to campaign against childhood diseases

    Dangote Foundation to campaign against childhood diseases

    The Dangote Foundation has promised to step up its advocacy campaign against preventable diseases in the country.

    This followed report that an estimated 124,000 children under the age of four years are dying annually due to poor sanitation,

    The foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Zuoera Youssoufou, gave this promise in a message she sent to the Community Staff School, venue of the demonstration of the United Nation’s Global Hand Washing Day observed in Abuja in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and other organisations like the United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) and Water Aids.

    She lamented that Nigeria was still contributing so much to the number of children deaths recorded globally, owing to poor sanitation and described the situation as unacceptable.

    Mrs. Youssoufou stated that the foundation had already planned to scale up it advocacy and intervention in the preventable deaths, owing to equally preventable diseases such as poor sanitation, hunger and malnutrition, diarrhoea, cholera and dysentery.

    The Foundation boss explained that it was in realisation of the factor of hygiene and good sanitation in the prevention of these avoidable deaths that made the United Nation to set aside a day to mark the Hand Washing Day to demonstrate and encourage the children on the need to always wash their hands and maintain good sanitation so as to stay healthy.

    She said a situation where the nation is losing her children to preventable deaths would not augur well for the development of the country in future because the rank of the children on whose shoulders the task of the development lie would have been depleted.

    Said she: “Children are change agents and that is why we have to target them to ensure they stay healthy for the betterment of our society. Our partnership with the Federal Ministry of Water resources on this demonstration of globally accepted hand washing methods was in furtherance of our believe in focusing more on the health of our children.”

    The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Musa Istifanus, said the hand washing campaign was introduced to reduce childhood mortality rates relating to respiratory, diarrhoea and other related diseases by introducing simple behavioural change of hand wash with soap.

    The UNICEF Country Representative, Kannan Nadar, pointed out that a survey carried out recently indicated that in six states, 53 per cent of the children don’t wash hands after defecation, which, he said, was “a great disincentive to the campaign for proper sanitation among the children”.

  • Unilever, Multichoice unveil youth campaign

    Unilever and Multichoice Nigeria have launched a joint campaign tagged in an effort to provide a platform whereby youth can express themselve and show to the world what they can offer.

    During the launch at University of Lagos, the Brand Manager, Rexima, Unilever, Mrs. Shadiat Shoyombo said the programme, tagged We Care was unveiled with the aim of fuelling the passion of the student towards achievable goals.

    She said: “Our partnership with Multichoice on activation of this campaign is to help promote lives of the youth. We realise many youth are talented and they needed assistance to be able to achieve their aim, goal and aspirations. Our aim is to give the youth platform where they can utilize their potential, where they can be useful in times of their interest, career wise, entertainment, comedy. We are going to all tertiary institutions such as universities, polytechnics and colleges in other to tell them that we care. “

    She said the campaign has touched 16 schools so far.  “University of Lagos is the 17th of the schools. Also, the most important return investment for us is the future of the student and we believe we are investing in their future. We will be happy to see that in the next few years, those students will be part of Unilever and Multichoice, to see them as star, and our brand,” she added.

     

     

    The Sale Supervisor, MultiChoice, Nigeria, Mr.  Oluwaseun King also said the campaign is meant to bring out the passion of the youth and empower them through the initiative. “It is also meant to prepare them for the labour market. Most of the students want to graduate and wait for the government to provide jobs for them. We notice that and introduced canvasser scheme where they can learn, make gains for themselves through our product given to them to sell on the social media. The aim is to make you financially stable and bring out the creativity in you,” he said.

  • Ambode: I’ll fulfil campaign promises

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has promised to fulfill his electoral promises.

    The governor, who spoke at the 2015 Ojude Oba Epe Festival at the Epe Recreation Ground, Epe, said the previous administration’s infrastructural renewal drive would receive adequate attention.

    “One of the promises during the campaign is that we will continue with my predecessor’s infrastructural development and improve on it.

    “What we have to do is improve on the network which Babatunde Fashola had laid down,” he said.

    Ambode said he used the first three months of his administration to set up an institutional framework, assuring that going forward, Lagosians will begin to witness development across the state.

    “I have no choice, I have to do it for all Lagosians, that’s what I am committed to do, I have said I am going to be selfless about service and that’s what I am going to do and you will see it.

    “What I have done in the last three months is to set up the institutional framework and if you want to build a house, you have to lay the foundation, you will now see what I’ll be doing in the next three and half years, just watch and you would see it,” he said.

    He assured the people of Epe that development would also get to the area, saying aside being a native of Epe, the town has witnessed less development in recent times.

    “For Epe, you can see, in terms of the rural local governments, Epe is the most rural and in terms of the divisions, Epe is the least of all the five divisions. So for them, the best thing we can do is to increase the infrastructural development here in Epe and help them to develop in other areas,” the governor said.

    Dignitaries at the festival include the Oba of Epe, Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, Asiwaju of Epeland, Justice Adesola Oguntade, Chairman Eleganza Group, Chief Rasak Okoya, Senator representing Lagos West, Adeola Olamilekan Solomon, Chief of Staff to the governor, Olukunle Ojo.

  • Johnnie Walker launches Joy Will Take You Further campaign

    Johnnie Walker launches Joy Will Take You Further campaign

    Johnnie Walker, a premium Scotch Whisky from the stable of Diageo brands, has unveiled its largest-ever global marketing campaign tagged: Joy Will Take You Further.

    According to the brand handler, the campaign is aimed at encouraging Nigerians to aspire for success.

    The campaign, which is a global marketing activation, took place in more than 50 countries simultaneously, and it is  expected to reach over 350 million consumers in the first week of its launch.

    During the unveiling in Lagos, which was attended by industry leaders, chief executives, top management personnel and editors, top 100 individuals,who had demonstrated value  and achieved great goals were celebrated.

    The Corporate Affairs Director, Diageo Nigeria,Mr. Sesan Sobowale, said the campaign, which was based on decades of research, challenged the conventional wisdom that success guarantees happiness.

    He said: “Johnnie Walker has always stood for progress, it’s been the story of our whisky since our founder John Walker started it all nearly 200 years ago. What two centuries of experience have taught us is that progress doesn’t have to be an endless uphill journey, we can enjoy the steps we take and the more happiness we find in them, the more likely we are to achieve our goal. Evidence is confirming a conviction that sits at the heart of our brand: Joy Will Take You Further.

    “Joy Will Take You Further campaign is a step further on the evolution of the brand’s famous ‘Keep Walking’ campaign and represents a new perspective on personal progress, which has defined the brand’s philosophy for more than 15 years, helping Johnnie Walker become the most valuable spirits brand in the world,” he added.

    Based on new insights into how success is viewed by consumers today, he stated further that the campaign brings to life the concept that “joy can be a catalyst to the progress they seek, and aims to generate a positive culture shift by promoting and encouraging the idea that finding joy in the journey is part of the recipe for success.”

    Guests at the event shared their personal perspective on the impact of a joyful walk. They noted that the true way to success is not just hard work and determination but also taking time to enjoy the simple moments of the journey.

    Founder/Group Chairman, Dunn Loren Merrifield, an investment house, Mr Sonnie Ayere, while sharing his experience in the business world said: “It is joy that has been propelling me to do more and achieve greatness and I pray for a tribe-less Nigeria where everybody can be one irrespective of tribe.

    Other activities at the event included the unveiling of top music artiste, producer and CEO of Mavins Records, Michael Collins Ajereh aka Don Jazzy as the Joy Ambassador for the Campaign.

    Explaining the rationale behind the choice of Joy Ambassador, Head of Marketing, Diageo Brands, Adenike Adebola, said: “Don Jazzy has experienced different phases of success in his career up till now.

    ‘’He is a true achiever, a game changer and a model to emulate. He is passionate about what he does and it is that passion we celebrate. We believe he will be instrumental in propagating the message of and inspiring the rest of Nigeria with our core message that Joy Will Take You Further.’’

  • Chi unveils Chivita 100% or nothing marketing campaign

    Chi unveils Chivita 100% or nothing marketing campaign

    Chi Limited has unveiled its new marketing communication campaign tagged ‘Chivita 100% or Nothing’ as part of effort to reinforce its flagship’s brand proposition and strengthen the credential of the brand in the marketplace. The campaign which is being deployed through television, deigital, out of home, consumer activation and point of sales initiatives demonstrates the brand’s commitment to quality and excellence.

    For a fruit juice, renowned for it’s no added sugar, no preservatives and no colouring, the campaign projects the brand Chivita  as the best quality fruit juice in the market as well as reiterates its partnership with Manchester United in an engaging way.  Already, the television commercial is generating buzz across the digital platform as visits to the Youtube page where the commercial has been uploaded has witnessed an upsurge in viewers. The commercial which is also airing on terrestrial as well as satellite television stations in Nigeria has also created visibility and positive talkability amongst consumers.

    Speaking on the marketing campaign, its Head of Marketing, Mr. Probal Bhattacharya said the campaign highlights Chivita 100% with purity, commitment & nothing but the best which is its recipe for premium quality, thereby providing all the ingredients for success, achievement & leadership

    “We do everything possible to ensure that Chivita 100% lives up to its brand promise of goodness and the best there is. This also explains our partnership with the world’s most valuable football club brand because for us it is the best or nothing” he added.

    The television commercial has already started running on major Television stations in Nigeria featuring top rated football stars like Robin Van Persie, Angel Di Maria, Antonio Valencia, Radamel Falcao, and Jonny Evans. The advert opens with a glistening pack shot of Chivita 100% fruit juice; condensation dripping down the carton and as the hand appears to open the cap the camera zooms inside the pack into a world of juice, wherein superstars of football showcase there soccer skills with a “Juice Ball” on a football pitch filled with pure natural appetising juice.