God is Good Motors, now GIGM.com, has set the standard for transport business branding. After unveiling its new-look terminals across the federation, the transport company boasted about its new value proposition for long-distance travellers by road in a new campaign unveiled via mobile app.
The company also hosted Nollywood star actress Kate Henshaw and others at its Jibowu-Lagos terminal, where it launched its GIGM Mobile App.
At the event, the Executive Chairman of The GiG Group (the parent company of God is Good Motors), Mr. Chidi Ajaere, said the GIGM app was part of the company’s strategic investment in building a futuristic and tech-driven institution.
He told excited stakeholders and industry watchers that the key to the company’s success was constant innovation in service delivery and huge investment in human capital.
The app, he noted, will enhance user experience, and create greater functionality while ensuring that guests have a hub to book trips, see travel schedules, and ensure interactivity with the organisation.
“The GIGM.com app is designed to make traveling a very rewarding experience by ensuring the ease of booking road trips and reducing the time it takes to make travel reservations. It eliminates customer queues at the terminals and users can enjoy amazing discounts and more.
“We are market leaders, and to remain number one, we need innovations of the sort that we launched today to drive the industry and set the road map for Nigeria’s young entrepreneurs.
“We are focused on creating exceptional value for our customers and we realise that this is all we need to consolidate our position as an industry leader.
“Our business model gives abundant hope to the youths of Nigeria” Ajaere, one of Nigeria’s youngest entrepreneurs, said.
He added that the apps were now available on Android, iOS, Windows and Blackberry platforms.
The event was graced by other Nollywood stars and celebrities such as Kate Henshaw, Linda Ejiofor, Yaw of Wazobia FM, Rap artiste, Illbliss, Uche Jombo, comedian Efex and Zainab Balogun of Ebony Life.
Three days ago, Sergeant William Relomer woke up upbeat. Nothing forewarned him that he would not return home to his family. The riot policeman, who was on escort duty, an official of Oyigbo Local Government Council of Rivers State; and a driver were killed that day by armed robbers in Port Harcourt. The bandits escaped with a huge sum of money belonging to Oyigbo local council, which was withdrawn from a new generation bank on the busy Olu-Obasanjo Road. The policeman’s rifle has also become part of their war chest. The robbery took place around noon.
In the last four months, Port Harcourt has been under siege of armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists, sea pirates and pipeline vandals.
Traders are groaning. Residents are scared. Nightlife has taken a holiday. And oil firms are alerting their members of staff to the danger of moving about the oil city without caution.
Before the last general elections, Rivers State was on edge. The state capital, Port Harcourt, bore a chunk of the brunt. After the polls, many traders and business men and women expected a conducive business clime to return but their expectations are far from the reality. Now, there is so much grumble over lack of cash flow.
Robbery, kidnapping and cult-related activities have worsened the situation. Night club owners and other night businesses operating in the state are closing their shops for lack of patronage.
Some of the business men, who spoke to the Niger Delta Report, said apart from low business patronage, the government at the state and federal governments should also kick the ball rolling to encourage vibrant economy.
A rice seller at Mile 3 market in Port Harcourt, Mr. Godwin Arume, said he borrowed money from the bank after the elections to import bags of rice using his Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) as collateral, with the hope that he would return the money as agreed.
Arume said: “As I am talking to you now, what I used as collateral to collect money from the bank has been taken away from me because of bad business. After I imported the rice with the money, some rice dealers who I also supplied rice came with different stories that I should supply them to pay later. Till today, they have not paid. This is the worse period of doing business in Port Harcourt.”
A major distributor of Southern Paint Nigeria Limited, Mr. Emmanuel James, said the poor business patronage is because the government in the state and at federal levels have not settled down. He noted that there is lack of cash flow in the country, which is affecting business in the state and other states of the federation.
He said: “My brother, you can’t expect business in Rivers State to start booming like the way it was before the general elections in the state. When a government comes into power and they are stable without electoral litigation, the cabinet will be immediately appointed. And every aspect of the government will be functional, money will be budgeted for the ministry, contracts will be awarded and money will flow. ”
Orlu
On insecurity, Mr. Chigozi Orlu-Orlu, a lawyer and member of Lawyers Network for Change, said killings and kidnapping have continued. He alleged further that since the courts in the state were reopened insecurity in the state has increased to a level that people now hide for safety.
He said many politicians now live in Abuja, especially the supporters of All Progressive Congress (APC) and those tagged as enemies of government.
“How many politicians are living in Rivers State, even those of the ruling party are hiding their identities. How many of them that can invite journalists or visitors to their home? That’s because there is insecurity in the state. After the release of Vanguard columnist and the son of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, two clergy men, Venerable J.B Lawson and Venerable Isobo Dokubo of the African Church, were kidnapped. We are not talking about the incessant robbery and increased activities of cultism in the state immediately Chief Wike took over as the governor of Rivers State. Before now he told us that there was so much insecurity in the state because former Governor Rotimi Amaechi closed down the courts. Now that the courts have reopened, what is happening? To be candid with you, we are living in fear in this state.”
Chairman, Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM), Emohua Local Government Area, Hon. Lucky Worluh, said he blamed the security agents for the security situation in Port Harcourt.
Worluh
Worluh said: “I want Rivers people to help me and find out if the Inspector General of Police, the Director of State Security Service (SSS) and other security agencies in this country do not know what is happening in Rivers State. What is happening in Rivers State is terrible; nobody will tell me that he does not know what is happening. Cult groups have taken over some communities. As I am talking to you now, some communities in Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas have been taken over by cult groups. Before the expiration of Amaechi’s tenure he set up commission of inquiry because of the killing that took place in Omuku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local government Area of Rivers State and other killing that took place in other local government areas. Some people went to court to stop that inquiry.
“Because they want us to continue living in the past, which is bad, the police are part of the atrocities happening in Rivers State. The same people that killed these victims are today having more than twenty escorts following them. You can imagine that the so-called caretaker chairmen are going around paying courtesy visit to some certain elements. You can imagine that the government of the state is not thinking on how to end insecurity in the state; instead they are busy respecting ex-militants and leaders of cult groups in the state. And the membership of cult groups is increasing daily. Of course, those who aided cult groups in the state are now members of the State House of Assembly, Caretaker committee chairmen. The people are shouting, the residents have resulted into self-help. Something must have to be done fast.”
The chairman of Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Mr. Austin Ahiamadu, said insecurity in the state, especially that of his local government was because security agencies in the state refused to live up to their responsibility.
He said the people are not happy over the insecurity in Rivers State, particularly that of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local government area.
“We are unhappy over the insecurity situation in this area. I blame the Police for the continuous killing and shooting by unknown gunmen in Ogba Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. The most recent is the killing by unknown gunmen who invaded three communities and killed over 13 persons in three communities, Omoku town, Obirikom and Ogbogu .
“Naturally as a Council Chairman, I am the Chief Security officer, but I can’t go to war, mine is to give order. As the Council chairman I have good relationship with the security agency but I can’t do their own job. And if their job is not done properly, you don’t come back to blame the council chairman. “
The Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on Media and Publicity, Sir Opunabo Inko-Tariah , said the governor had done a lot to improve the security in the state. He blamed Amaechi for the insecurity in the state, adding that: “Governor Wike in addition to other covert measures which cannot be disclosed for security reason because such disclosures will negate the very essence, he donated 64 vehicles with modern security gadgets to the security agencies in Rivers State.”
But for Nathaniel Mark, a Port Harcourt-based public commentator, said: “Under Wike, homes are not safe much as the roads and street corners have turned black spots. For travellers on the Emohua-Buguma-Degema road, death and abduction are daily realities. Several travellers on that route have either been kidnapped or killed. Armed security personnel are killed on that road much as ‘bloody’ civilians. Occurrences are daily as state Chief Executive and Chief Security Officer has done nothing to confront this monster.
“With spiralling spate of kidnapping across Rivers state, most oil companies have chosen to quarantine their workforce. Recently, such oil companies issued travel advisory to their workers. The theme was short and simple – ‘Beware of Rivers State. As much as possible stay away or keep low profile’. Daily, people are kidnapped and that happens in broad day light. Recently popular essayist and newspaper columnist, Dornu Kogbara, was kidnapped right in her Port Harcourt home. Two days later, the son of the Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ndowa Sunday Lale, was kidnapped right in their Ebubu-Eleme country home.”
The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the police have done more than enough to protect lives and properties in the state.
He said: “As far as Rivers Police command is concerned, we are on top of the situation. I believe that if you sample the opinions of ordinary Rivers man and woman, he or she will attest that we are trying our best. One thing I observed is that some people are giving wrong assertion to the public about security situation in Rivers State. But I am assuring the public that we would not be deterred by the act of wrong perception, the command will do what they are supposed to do as to protect lives and properties in the state.”
A former officer of the Department of State Security (DSS), Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, believes the poor security situation in the state is as a result massive arms that were shipped into the state before the elections to arm the criminally-minded youths to do the bidding of politicians.
He said as long as the guns were not retrieved from the youths they would use them to perpetrate crimes against defenceless persons in the state.
For now, Port Harcourt especially remains on the edge. Nightlife has taken a break; oil companies’ workers are extra careful; and life cannot be said to be good for the ordinary people. And the rich also cry.
Riding on the back of innovation and unbeatable promotional strategies, Shoprite, South Africa’s largest grocery retailer in terms of overall market share, has continued to expand its footprint in Africa. It has established a strong presence in Nigeria where the retail chain is revolutionalising the way Nigerians shop. TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.
Since December 2005 when Shoprite, South Africa’s largest grocery retailer in terms of overall market share, entered Nigeria’s Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, it has never looked back. The retail giant’s capacity to replicate in Nigeria the same innovation and promotional strategies, which saw it calling the shots in South Africa and other countries in Africa and Asia where it has presence, has put it on the driving seat of Nigeria’s FMCG sector. With its price competitiveness and excellent quality products on shelf, the grocery retailer has been able to build a strong brand awareness with the Nigerian customer, which is why the retail firm has continued to expand its store network throughout the country.
Interestingly, as Shoprite expands its store network across Nigeria, it has continued to maintain its brand integrity by ensuring that its product offering (taking different local brands into account) remains the same Irrespective of where people shop, either in Lagos, (Nigeria), Mumbai (India) or Cape Town (South Africa). The retail chain constantly tries to find ways of improving its supply chain with its employment of local suppliers and farmers. It has local Nigerian suppliers and farmers supplying their stores and it has seen tremendous support from not only the Nigerian government and the general public, but also from local suppliers who have appreciated its efforts of promoting their locally produced products.
In recent times, the retail sector’s competitiveness is intensifying immensely with additional players entering the food segment, competing for local food expenditure. Consequently, participants in the same category have been stepping up their advertising and promotion campaigns, increasing their number of brand lines as well as manufacturing capacity, with a view to capturing the rising demand. Considering the fact that the local market is approaching relative maturity, investors in the mould of Shoprite understand that growth here will be closely linked to the ability to create sustainable employment for the masses of unemployed youth. This will be a significant driver of sales and profitability growth.
Shoprite says that in the past, its growth strategy has been acquisitive in nature, but organic expansion is now its primary growth driver. With three core supermarket brands each with a unique positioning in the market, its brand has been repositioned and caters to more upmarket consumers, with market share being won from competitors in the same segment.
Though, the formal retail sector in Nigeria is extremely small, three percent to be precise, Shoprite has said that with its stores roll-out, it will change this mindset by ensuring it remains price competitive whilst offering excellent quality goods and customer service. Shoprite has also found out that the Nigerian FMCG market is mainly geared towards supplying the informal sector, with very little formal retail sector involvement.
Shoprite is extremely positive about Nigeria and the potential here. It is aware that Nigeria has developed into one of the largest economies in the world with the Federal Government setting a goal for the country to become one of the world’s twenty largest economies by the year 2020. According to Shoprite Chief Executive Officer, Whitey Basson, “Nigerians are generally very accommodating to foreign investors and are eager to see their country develop into one of the top twenty economies over the next decade.”
Basson added that, “The federal government of Nigeria has a clear policy of supporting legitimate foreign investors and as such, there are agencies like the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) that provide the necessary assistance and advice in setting up one’s business here.”This must be why Shoprite has since given its commitment to some developers to open stores in major cities across Nigeria such as Abuja, Calabar, Kano, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan, Kwara, Lagos, and Delta, among others.
With a growing youthful population estimated at about half of Nigeria’s entire population, Nigeria presents one of the best opportunities for FMCG business. Shoprite recognises this much, which was whythe retail chain says it is delighted to see that most of its customers are Nigerians. To show its commitment, Shoprite has fully supported locally made products and have since its inception made use of its self designed ‘Product of Nigeria’ labels to create in-store awareness with the Nigerian customers, indicating that it totally supports Nigeria and its efforts at developing the economy.
Perhaps, as part of its demonstration of support for Nigeria’s development, Shoprite, sources say, does not get involved in corrupt practices, which was why it approached the federal government and its regulatory agencies prior to its launch to ensure it complied with every regulation and law. With this commitment, it was not surprising that the chain was very well received by the government and people of Nigeria.
While government assisted and supported Shoprite’s efforts in setting up its first supermarket, the response of Nigerians, particularly shoppers, on the other hand, has been positive by way of increased patronage of its stores.
Global equity markets rose on Thursday, boosted by solid United States (US) economic data and upbeat results from some US companies, including General Electric, while the dollar rose after a joint call by major powers for an end to the fighting in Ukraine.
The MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 45 nations, rose 1.15 points or 0.28 per cent, to 410.53. The Dow Jones industrial average closed down 16.31 points or 0.1 per cent, to 16,408.54, the S&P 500 gained 2.54 points, or 0.14 per cent, to 1,864.85, and the Nasdaq Composite added 9.291 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 4,095.516.
Morgan Stanley reported a 55 percent jump in first-quarter earnings, General Electric posted a 12 percent rise in overall industrial profits, and both earnings and revenue of Goldman Sachs beat market estimates.
“The market is digesting the sharp move we’ve seen this week and is doing its best to ignore the results from IBM and Google, which didn’t look great,” said Steve Sosnick, equity risk manager at Timber Hill/Interactive Brokers Group in Greenwich, Connecticut.
The number of Americans filing initial claims for jobless benefits rose less than expected in the latest week and factory activity in the US mid-Atlantic region expanded in April at a faster clip than expected.
The US Labor Department said initial claims for unemployment benefits ticked up 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 304,000 for the week ended April 12, near the 6-1/2-year low touched the prior week.
The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank said its business activity index rose to 16.6 from 9.0 in March. A reading above zero indicates expansion in the mid-Atlantic region’s manufacturing.
European equities finished higher. The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares closed up 0.46 percent.
Brent crude settled down 7 cents at $109.53 a barrel. U.S. crude settled up 54 cents at $104.30 a barrel. U.S. COMEX gold futures for June delivery settled down $9.60 at $1,293.90 an ounce.
Lobi Stars have booked a passage to the quarter-final of the 2013 Federation Cup competition after edging out ABS of Ilorin 5-4 on penalties at a game played at the Bako Kotangora Stadium, Minna.
Both sides failed to establish clear cut chances and superiority in their early exchanges of fireworks but ABS goalkeeper wa the busier of the two goalies. He was called to duty twice when he came out twice to save two block buster shots off the boots of John Kollins.
The two soccer gladiators retired for the first half on a goalless draw and the second half did not witness much changes from the first as they were both cautious with their approach to the game as the time strolled to its end.
The game was decided by penalty kick lottery which was eventually won by Lobi Stars.
Lobi penalty kicks were converted by Anthony Okpotu, Barnabas Imenger Jnr, Esosa Igbinoba, Emmanuel Ajia and Terkaa Melai who was adjudged the man of the match. Melai, Lobi’s goalkeeper was the hero of the match after he saved ABS final penalty kick just like the way he did during Lobi’s Round of 64 clash against Crown of Ogbomosho at the same Minna some weeks back.
An elated Lobi’s Vice Chairman,Dominic Iorfa gave God the glory and warned his players not to over celebrate the feat since it is still a long journey to the final.
“I want to thank the players for their act of bravery and also commend the coaches for their role too. We give God the glory for this feat and it has wiped off our agonising lost to Akwa United in Uyo last Sunday. We must remain focused because it is still a long road to the final. Who says we can’t make it back to back to the final again?” Iorfa said to SportingLife.
