The Nation Newspaper

Tag: campaign

  • To attend final campaign rally in November To attend final campaign rally in November

    To attend final campaign rally in November To attend final campaign rally in November

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday received the Anambra State governorship candidate for All Progressives Congress (APC), Tony Nwoye, at the Presidential Villa.

    The President assured that he would personally make out time to attend the final campaign rally scheduled for November.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled November 18, 2017 for the governorship polls in which 37 candidates are expected to slug it out.

    Bauchi State Governor, Muhammed Abubakar, led Nwoye to the Presidential Villa.

    He said: “I am the chairman of the National Campaign Council of the APC for the Anambra governorship election that will be taking place on 18th of November this year.

    “We have had our primaries and we have settled all the appeals. We have done reconciliations. It is therefore time to present to the father of the nation, the President of Nigeria, the candidate of the APC in Anambra State, Tony Nwoye.

    “The President received us very well and has promised us that he will personally grace the grand finale of the campaign in Anambra State.”

    Nwoye, who spoke to State House correspondents after the meeting with Buhari, alleged that funds meant for the local government areas were being siphoned by the current governor, Willie Obiano, who is also seeking re-election.

    According to the Anambra APC candidate, if he clinches power, one of his core mandates would be to ensure a transparent leadership.

    “I am not God, but based on the parameters and the indices of the Anambra political terrain and based on the campaigns that we have done so far, I am confident that by God’s grace, because God gives power, we are going to win.”

    Asked what new initiative his administration would bring to the state if he clinches power from Obiano, he said if he was elected, Anambra people should expect a transparent government that would bring all the people to an enviable height.

    “We will alleviate poverty. Our local government funds are being siphoned every month since the current administration took over.

    “Many key areas like agriculture and others are paid lip service. I will give them special attention if elected. We are going to take governance to the grassroots people,” he said.

    On threats by IPOB to boycott the elections, he said: “We are not afraid of the

  • Cap PLC partners SOS at colours campaign

    CAP Plc has partnered the SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria to launch the “Let’s Color Campaign” at SOS Social Centre Ejigbo in Lagos.

    CAP Plc Managing Director Mrs. Omolara Elemide said the rationale behind the “Let’s Color Campaign” was to bring innovative support to the work of humanitarian organisations.

    At the event, staff of both organisations and 25 SOS graduands trained at the Dulux Painters Academy participated actively in the painting exercise to make the walls of the center look nice and radiant again. “It was fun, as I was able to discover that I have a skill that can be developed,” said Mr. Eghosa Erhumwunse, National Director, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria.

    Early this year, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria and CAP Plc signed a-3 year partnership agreement under the YouthCan! Initiative. YouthCan! is a global programme of SOS Children’s Villages International to support disadvantaged young people.

  • Airtel’s Unlimited Data campaign: A case of puffery?

    Airtel’s Unlimited Data campaign: A case of puffery?

    In Nigeria, internet is the culture. Internet has given people the opportunity to enjoy the often ridiculous pop-up broadcasts on WhatsApp, the rib-cracking videos on Instagram, vanities of Snapchat and the whimsical banters on Twitter.

    This must be the reason one of the many ads for Airtel’s Unlimited Data campaign is chronicled “Data is Life”.

    The data-is-life advert vividly depicts a stone-aged homo sapiens becoming radiant at the glitters of civilisation, fluffiness of hedonistic lifestyle and photo-flashes of smartphones. This message is very true for 53 per cent of Nigerians; that is the statistics for internet penetration.

    Another advert of Airtel storied some neigbours who depended on a young man’s internet data. They had to rush to their benefactor’s house when power went off, a scenario which mocks Nigeria’s erratic power supply. Those neighbours assembled at the Good Samaritan’s door, begging for more data to complete downloads they have initiated. This particular ad does not exaggerate the need of Nigerians not just for internet but for speedy internet data bundles.

    Thus, it was great news when Airtel Nigeria launched the Unlimited Data Plans. The data bundles go for N10, 000, N15, 000 and N20, 000 for Unlimited 10, 15 and 20 respectively. On its’ website, Airtel claims the Unlimited Data plans are “designed for heavy data activities like downloading, streaming and sharing with friends and family”.

    “Nigerians know that the subscription will expire within thirty (30) days and obviously what it promises is unhindered speed for upload and download”, an Airtel subscriber explained. At a time when Nigerians are complaining over poor quality of service (QoS) by the telcos, Airtel promised unlimited data. This would not only be good news but a technology breakthrough.

    These offerings are obviously part of the strategy to give Airtel competitive advantage. The brand is positioned as the smartphone network in a market where WhatsApp calls (active mobile internet) threatens to eclipse voice calls (active voice subscription). According to statistics released by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), telecom subscribers using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) grew by 880per cent in July 2017 relative to same period last year. Data is the new civilisation!

    However, the Unlimited Data campaign is sheer puffery. A check with Airtel’s website reveals that the  data plans are not actually unlimited. The data plans are limited by some certain Fair Usage Policies (FUP). When the consumption of Unlimited 10 reaches 40GB, the speed will be throttled to 256kbps. The Unlimited 15 and Unlimited 20 will both also throttle to a speed of 256kbps when consumption gets to 65GB and 100GB respectively. The TV commercial for the campaign could have had a caveat that “Terms and conditions apply” or a referral to the company’s website for more information.

    According to CSG Network’s download speed calculator, a 100MB file would take 51 minutes and 19 seconds to get downloaded at the speed of 256kbps. This shows that the offering is not totally unlimited and using the nomenclature for the product name is an outrageous claim which could mislead subscribers in their decision-making.

    NCC’s Guidelines on Advertisements and Promotions, No 3(e) states:“Licensees offering internet connections should state the Internet connection speed available to end-users as well as specific upload and download speed. If the connection speed quoted is only obtainable under special circumstances, then these circumstances should be clearly stated.”

    This shows that it is expected that the company quotes on the advert material, the upload and download speed and how consumption levels would chop down the data speed at a certain point. This would help decide whether the package fits for some specific use or not. Some buy data bundles to stream events and the unlimited speed is actually needed.

    Take for example the tweet from @AirtelNigeria by 3:01pm on 7th October, 2017, which said: “Get Unlimited 10 for N10, 000, Unlimited 15 for N15, 000 and Unlimited 20 for N20, 000 and start enjoying the unlimited data life!” Such a message is unambiguous in its’ promise.

    To make its message clearer, Airtel Customer Care tweeted via @airtel_care in a reply to @TransOceana that: “Each variant of bundle offers Unlimited data for 30 days, which gives you the access to share your data with loved ones”. The irony is that you would not be able to share a data with your loved ones when the speed crashes to 256kbps or less.

    Why would the commercials never mention that the data bundles will slow down in speed when consumption reaches a level? Why would Airtel not give subscribers this information via the social media? Why should very important information which borders on the limitations of an unlimited offer be released only on the website?

    Puffery in advertising is not illegal; it is rather an ethical dilemma. An ethical dilemma is a practice that does not contravene any law but may not be socially responsible. The vetting guidelines of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) states that advert “should be prepared with a high sense of social responsibility and should avoid misinformation”. It is clear that the adverts and social media posts of Airtel contain half-information about the offering and have not guided subscribers properly in making a rational decision.

    It is understandable that the competition in the telecom sector is tense. The portability access has given subscribers the freedom to switch brands without losing their lines. Out of the 91,419,943 GSM lines subscribed to internet data in Nigeria, only 22.5 per cent is subscribed to Airtel internet data plans as at July.

    Between January and July 2017, Airtel has gained an average of 2, 307 lines monthly and has lost an average of 4, 837 lines monthly due to portability. This means Airtel experienced more subscribers porting away from the network than it receives.

    This is the situation for most of the telcos in the first and second quarters of the year.

    Analysts claimed “the portability statistics as released by NCC may be a picture of consumers’ response to unfulfilled promises by some telcos”.

    Puffing and fluffing in advertising is a common practice in the telecom sector. Consumers are always reacting with vitriolic attacks on social media against the untrustworthy networks whenever it becomes clear that their marketing messages were completely exaggerated. Those attacks on telcos via the social media deplete the goodwill of the brand and aids brand switch through portability.

    In his book, Principles and Practice of Advertising, author Hillary Chidi Ozoh stated that advertising has a duty of accountability and that “this duty of accountability is largely a consequence of the overriding social responsibility philosophy that the media should be socially responsible”.

    The author, a lecturer and examiner with APCON, said “incomplete description” and “partial disclosures” are forms of deceptive advertising. Incomplete description is explained as “stating some, but not all of the contents of a product”, while partial disclosures is explained as “stating what a product can do but not what it cannot do”.

  • Campaigning before campaign

    These politicians have started again. They have started before they should start. Starting ahead of time is not allowed in this case, which makes it illegal. It is not enough to point out the illegality, as the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. AbdulGaniy Olayinka Raji, did in Ekiti State on September 20 when he addressed reporters in his office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Raji spoke to reporters after a stakeholders’ meeting with “leaders of political parties under the auspices of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).” A report said: “Raji said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was empowered by law to prosecute politicians who engaged in any form of “early campaign” before the time allowed by law.”

    The report also said Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other figures who are members of other parties had started activities that amounted to campaigning prematurely in connection with next year’s governorship election in the state.

    According to the report, “Fayose has erected billboards bearing his pictures and those of his deputy in which he referred to Olusola as “Your Next Governor.” Governorship aspirants of other parties also mounted billboards and banners in front of their campaign offices, on the major roads and boundaries of Ekiti with other neighbouring states.”

    In response, Raji was quoted as saying: “All these acts are not in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). Activities that look like campaign are against the Constitution and people should desist from them. Media houses should scrutinise jingles and adverts that may implicate them. Any offender convicted is liable to a maximum fine of N500, 000 and a jail term at the discretion of the judge. The law also permits INEC to remove such billboards.”

    So, what is Raji waiting for? A law not enforced is a law not in force. Most likely, the law violators are aware of the law and conscious of its violation. The enforcement authorities should not speak and act in a way that suggests reluctance to enforce the law in the face of clear contravention. All talk and no action can’t be effective in this case.

    These politicians are behaving lawlessly, which is ironic, considering that they are seeking a position expected to uphold the law. Premature campaigning shows a lawless side of the characters involved and suggests desperation. It is dishonourable and deplorable.

  • Firm rewards customers with Take 5 campaign

    A beverage producing company, Cold Stone Creamery, is marking its five years of operation in the country with Take 5 campaign.

    The company, which is into ice cream production, is rewarding its customers through its 23 stores and other outlets across the country.

    Shedding light on the campaign, its Marketing Coordinator Timilehin Lajubutu said: “The Take 5 campaign invites Nigerians to literarily take a five-minute break away from the hustle and bustle to indulge, to be happy and even to make the world a better place by giving back.”

    She added: “Our anniversary campaign stretches throughout September with a series of online and offline activities. We have already kicked off with our five Nigerian-inspired ice cream, like Scented Leaf, Orijin Coconut, Chocolate Chilli, Zobo and Suya flavours. This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to a country that has shown us so much love.”

    To show its passion for children, Cold Stone Creamery Nigeria will also give hope and put smiles on the faces children in slums, in partnership with another organisation, Slum to School Africa.

  • IGP launches ‘Bail is Free’ campaign in Niger

    IGP launches ‘Bail is Free’ campaign in Niger

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Kpotum Idris has launched ‘Bail is Free’ campaign in Niger State to put to rest corruption allegations regarding bail of suspects in police custody.

    Idris, represented by the Force Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said the launching would be done in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.

    He said the X-Squad of Nigeria Police had been sent to states, following the launch, to monitor compliance, adding that it had been given power to arrest, detain and discipline erring police officers.

  • Lagos lauds Sterling Bank’s sustainability campaign

    Lagos lauds Sterling Bank’s sustainability campaign

    Sterling Bank’s sustainability campaign known as Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM), senior officials of the Lagos State Government have paid glowing tributes to the initiative, saying it is in line with the state government’s vision of encouraging residents to show respect for the environment.

    Addressing the mammoth crowd at the flag off of the mega cleaning exercise which took place at the Computer Village in Ikeja at the weekend, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Adejare, commended Sterling Bank for its outstanding show of commitment to the campaign for a livable environment.

    Adejare said, “We need to have more respect for our environment than we do now. The state government cancelled the monthly sanitation exercise because it believed that cleaning the environment should be part of our daily lives and not just a monthly routine.”

    The commissioner disclosed that the state government recently introduced the Cleaner Lagos Initiative in a bid to better manage solid waste. He urged participants in the cleaning exercise to extend the practice to their different homes as part of their contribution to the emergence of a cleaner Lagos that is fit for human habitation.

    Adejare enjoined residents in Lagos not to block drainages with their refuse but to put them in bags and tie the mouths before leaving them in front of their houses for officials of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) to pick up.

    In his welcome address, Mr. Yemi Adeola, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Plc, disclosed that the STEM programme was being held simultaneously in eight other locations across the country. These include the seven state capitals of Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Rivers, Enugu, Plateau, Kano and in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

  • Ayinla: Buhari is fulfilling campaign promises

    Ayinla: Buhari is fulfilling campaign promises

    Honourable Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla represents Mushin Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with Emmanuel Oladesu, he speaks on President Muhammadu  Buhari’s health, his party’s performance in the last two years and other issues. Excerpts:

    It’s been over two years since APC came to power. How will you describe the journey so far?

    The mission of APC is to reshape Nigeria to a better country than it used to be especially under PDP’s 16 years rule. But, that plan experienced a setback due to the ill-health of President Muhammadu Buhari.  I pray that God in his infinite mercy give him a speedy recovery so that he can come and perform the task Nigerians elected him to do.  Nobody prays to be sick and when you are indisposed, there is a limit to what you can do.  That is the first problem that the APC government encountered since coming to power. The second problem we are experiencing which has posed a serious challenge to this country is various attacks in parts of the country ranging from cultism, herdsmen attacks, kidnapping and Boko Haram menace.  I believe the APC government would have performed better, if the head of the ship, President Buhari is in good health.  His illness has caused a lot of setback to this administration.  But I believe in spite of that, this government is trying its best to deliver its electioneering promise to Nigerians.  The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is in charge of the government and he is doing a very brilliant job, but there is little he can do because the person who wanted to execute what they are supposed to do together is not in the country. So, I believe the Acting President has done a lot since the president left and all we can do is to support him and pray for the speedy recovery of the president.  If things had gone the way the government planned, I believe that the greatest problem confronting Nigeria today which is electricity could have been solved.  There is nothing we want to do without power supply. If there is adequate power supply today, many industries will spring up leading to creation of jobs. Many artisans who have quit their profession because of lack of power supply and are now riding commercial motorcycles (okada) will go back to it.  We have many companies in Nigeria today whose owners have migrated to Ghana because of lack of power supply. But, we believe that very soon, all these will be a thing of the past. But despite these challenges, the government is doing its best to move the country forward. There are lots of strategic plans and think-tank committees in various angles focused on working for the betterment of the country. Before the end of 2019, I am confident that this government will deliver at least over 85 to 90 percent of our promises to Nigerians.

    What is your position on the constitution amendment by the National Assembly, especially on devolution of power and autonomy for local governments?

    Though I wasn’t around when the votes on these issues were carried out, but I am part and parcel of those that voted for it. Nigeria needs a lot of reorganisation, new planning and a much improved security system. All these are things that are needed in the constitution amendment. The current constitution we are using has been in existence for a long time. In overseas, they do what we call checks and balances. The development of the country needs to be looked into on a regular basis in order for us to have the society of our dream so that the country can move from the level in which it is to where we desire.  We need to sit down and look if there is need for amendment in the constitution. All these should be done amicably by people who disagree to agree. Like the saying goes, it is better to jaw-jaw than war-war.  We don’t need wars but peace.  In doing this, we also ensure that all the states and regions are carried along. Nobody should feel cheated.

    What is your assessment of the 8th House of Representatives under Speaker Yakubu Dogara?

    Excellent, I must say. Rt Hon.  Yakubu Dogara is a brilliant speaker who leads by example. We are proud of his leadership and I must say that all the honourable members under his leadership including myself have done a lot in our various fields through effective legislation.  The Speaker is a very punctual lawmaker who arrives plenary on time and in doing this he has set a good example for other lawmakers too. I am  used to arriving early for plenary. If the day’s sitting is for 11am, I will already be there by 8am.  The records of attendance are there in the National Assembly for everyone to verify. I’m always in the House between 8am to 8:30am for the day-to-day activities in terms of  motion moving, checks and balances and making contributions on the floor of the House.

    What are some of your contributions in the House?

    I have supported a lot of motions moved by other lawmakers.  I am preparing a motion which I don’t want to disclose for now.

    What are the benefits your people have derived since they elected you to represent them in Mushin II?

    The issue of poverty alleviation is very crucial to me.  I have done a lot in the area of poverty alleviation and empowerment for my people. Even during my time in the Lagos State House of Assembly, I have always taken the issue of empowerment of my constituents seriously. I don’t like the idea of people begging.  For how long will someone continue to beg? My philosophy is teach a man how to fish and not just give him a fish because when he finishes eating the fish you gave him, he will come back again.  I have done a lot in terms of assisting the less privileged, payment of school fees, purchasing of exams forms for students and empowering artisans.  I have documented all these things in a magazine and I am ready to give it to anyone who is interested in knowing what I have done in the last two years. Time will not permit me to say everything here.

    How will you describe Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s performance so far?

    Ambode has performed so creditably well.  I am not surprised that recently Governor Rauf Aregbesola described him as Nigeria’s Governor- General.  He is our poster boy in APC and my duty as a lawmaker representing Lagos state is to help the governor succeed.  In the last two years, Governor Ambode has turned Lagos to a mini- London with giant strides in road infrastructure, security, healthcare, Light up Lagos project and so on.  Lagosians should expect much more democracy dividends from Ambode in the coming days.  All I want to enjoin them is to cooperate with him by paying their levies, taxes and complying with all the laid down rules of the state. Itesiwaju Eko lo je wa logun. The progress of Lagos is our priority.

  • Anambra poll: Chidoka open campaign offices

    Anambra poll: Chidoka open campaign offices

    Former Aviation Minister and Anambra State governorship aspirant on the platform of the United Progressives Party (UPP) Chief Osita Chidoka has opened campaign offices in 21 councils.

    There are  326 electoral wards across the state. Efforts are being made to open local offices in the wards, his campaign office said in a statement.

    Chidoka spared thoughts of the victims of the recent murders in Anambra State, while opening the offices.

    He said their death must not be in vain, adding that it  must be the “clarion call on indigenes of Anambra to stand up in one accord against any order that nurtures, promotes and endorses impunity and recklessness in our state”.

    Chidoka said the incident is a clear indication of the erosion of values, moral standard and failure of leadership, adding that nobody should rest until those responsible for the Ozubulu attack and similar killings  are brought to book.

    He said the election will give the people of Anambra the opportunity to elect a responsible and resourceful government .

    Chidoka lamented the dearth of amenities in the Ogbaru area, despite titsrich natural resources and the commitment and contribution of the people towards the state.

    He said:“The level of government neglect here is very alarming. The failure of the government to open up the economic potentials of Ogbaru is unexplainable and unforgivable.

    “Ogbaru is blessed with huge gas deposit, fertile land for agricultural activities, abundant aquatic resources and a waterway that connects the inland of our state to the rest of the world, yet we have done nothing to develop the resources for the benefit of our people. Clearly the people of Ogbaru have not been treated well.”

    He said his government will set up a special development programme to unlock the economic potentials of Ogbaru.

    Chidoka, who also commissioned his campaign office in Onitsha South Local Government, reiterated the vision of his government to modernize markets and boost small-scale businesses .

    He said the era where the benefits of government are restricted to a privileged few must come to an end.

    A woman leader in the area, Mrs. Roselyn Okafor, commended Chidoka for his commitment and dedication.

    He said of all the aspirants, only  Chidoka is genuinely in touch with the people at the grassrootslevel.

  • Lagos @50: Winner emerges in Spot N Post campaign

    Lagos @50: Winner emerges in Spot N Post campaign

    A winner has emerged in the Spot N Post campaign, a private engagement initiative to celebrate Lagos @50, organised by Abelinis Limited, a Lagos-based experiential company. The campaign, which started in May, required Lagosians to spot a car branded in the colours of the Lagos @50 festivities, take a picture with it and post on social media. The respondent with the highest number of likes emerges winner.

    At the end of the viral competition, Seun Oloketuyi, a media entrepreneur, got the most likes. Last Thursday, Oloketuyi was presented with a prize of N100,000 at the Ogba, Lagos office of Abelinis Limited.

    Deji Orunkoyi, general manager of the company, said the campaign was initiated to join Lagos in celebrating its Golden Jubilee.

    “Lagos is a land of dreams and as a company doing business here, we thought to give back in our little way. We looked at the line up of activities and came up with this idea to ensure Lagosians across local governments felt the joy of the landmark celebrations. We toured 20 local governments and are glad at the responses,” Orunkoyi said.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Abelinis, Abiodun Oshinibosi, added that the Spot N Post campaign was basically his company’s corporate social responsibility initiative. According to him, “employing our expertise and experience as an experiential company with a track record of successful activations, we bought the car, branded it and toured the state without seeking or getting any support from the government. We are happy with the response and are further committed to contributing our quota to the development of Lagos State.”

    Established in 2011 as a project management company with interests in events, activation and production, Abelinis Limited has entrenched a culture of philanthropy in the heart of its corporate social responsibility. Last year, through one of its initiatives, Fanz Championship Africa, the company built a borehole at Amuwo Odofin Primary School, renovated the school’s abandoned toilet facilities and donated a generator for the borehole. When it turned five in 2016, the management and workers of Abeinis visited the Area G Police Station, Ogba, Lagos, to donate food items and cheques to support the education of children of deceased policemen. Prior to this, it paid school fees for selected undergraduates, donated Apple laptops to some identified creative youths, visited the Modupe Cole and Ijamido orphanage homes to support the less privileged.

    It also presented a phototherapy machine and top-of-the-range incubator to the Ifako and Ijebu Ode general hospitals to reduce Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).

    Earlier this year, during the company’s sixth anniversary, it gave four police widows N50,000 cash and 50,000 worth of VTU each to start a retail vending spot.