The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Guinness

  • Guinness, Anoela Card partner

    Guinness, Anoela Card partner

    Guinness Nigeria has partnered the largest woman-owned greeting card company, Anoela Cards, in furtherance of its commitment to promoting inclusion, diversity and cultural vibrancy while celebrating phenomenal women.

    In a statement, the company said the collaboration has resulted in beautiful, limited edition Women’s Month cards.

    It said the collaboration goes beyond beautiful designs as it reinforced the company’s dedication to inclusion, diversity, and cultural vibrancy while celebrating phenomenal women who inspire the world.

    Marketing, and Innovation Director at Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mark Mugisha, said: “At Guinness, we’re all about celebrating those who break the mold and express themselves authentically. This partnership with Anoela Cards is an amazing way to truly empower and uplift Nigerian women. We’re raising a glass to all of you this International Women’s Month!”

    The company explained that it complements its “Black Shines Brightest” campaign,  about individuality and fierce self-expression – values Anoela Cards champions beautifully in their greeting cards.

    Read Also: NEITI: Three tiers of government share N10.143tr in 2023

    “Throughout March, every Guinness purchase on our e-commerce platform will come with a free limited-edition Anoela card. These stunning cards embody the strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit that defines countless Nigerian women. It’s a commitment to amplifying women’s voices, recognizing their achievements, and empowering their journeys through shared stories, impactful visuals, and support for local initiatives.

    “The celebration closes out at Femme Fest which will be refreshed by Guinness. This powerhouse event, held at the end of the month, empowers, educates, and entertains over 3,000 incredible women.

  • IWD: Guinness Nigeria seeks inclusion, gender equality at workplaces

    IWD: Guinness Nigeria seeks inclusion, gender equality at workplaces

    Guinness Nigeria Plc has advocated for inclusion and gender equality for women in Nigeria, especially at workplaces.

    The renowned foremost total beverage alcohol company celebrated for its diverse portfolio of iconic brands spanning spirits, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace and society at large.

    Under the theme ‘Inspire Inclusion,’ the 2024 International Women’s Day campaign echoes the significance of diversity and empowerment across all sectors.

    Through its Spirited Women’s Network, Guinness Nigeria Plc spearheads initiatives aimed at uplifting and empowering female employees.

    Since its inception in 2018, this programme has provided vital support and mentorship opportunities, nurturing a conducive environment for growth and development.

    To date, the Spirited Women’s Network has impacted hundreds of female employees, with a 30% increase in female representation in leadership roles.

    Speaking at the International Women’s Day event hosted at the Guinness Nigeria headquarters in Lagos, Adebayo Alli, Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria, reiterated the company’s dedication to diversity and inclusion.

    He highlighted the transformative impact of the Spirited Women’s Network and emphasised the importance of creating an environment where every individual can thrive.

    “Our commitment to inclusivity is not just rhetoric; it’s a fundamental aspect of our organisational culture,” remarked Mr. Alli. “From lactation rooms to progressive benefits like paid pregnancy loss leave and fully paid six months’ maternity leave, we strive to support our female workforce at every step of their journey. In addition, we have implemented training programs aimed at enhancing the leadership skills of our female employees, resulting in a 25% increase in women in leadership positions over the past three years.”

    Read Also: Cooking marathon: Benue Chef Victor eyes Fisher’s Guinness World Record

    The event featured a keynote address by Mrs. Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, Executive Chair, African Food Changemakers & Trustee, The Rockefeller Foundation who emphasised the importance of creating supportive communities for women’s growth.

    She said, “In our journey towards success, creating supportive communities is paramount. However, let us remember that the path to success is not always smooth. It requires constant self-improvement and resilience. Together, as we uplift and empower one another, let us embrace the challenges ahead, for they are the rungs on the ladder of our collective growth.”

    Additionally, a panel discussion titled ‘Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress’ underscored the necessity of investing in women to drive societal advancement. The panel session, moderated by Opeyemi Makinwa, Head of Reserves, Guinness Nigeria, delved into various aspects of women’s empowerment and featured esteemed panelists including Ijeoma Taylaur, Executive Director, AAA Limited, Rolake Akinkungbe-Filani, GM & Group Head, Investor Relations & Corporate Development, Zenith Bank Pc, Dolapo Oshiegbu, Site Director (Ogba brewery), Guinness Nigeria Plc and Adebayo Alli, Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc.

    The panelists highlighted the need for the society to be intentional in investing in women, noting that a society without the full engagement of women cannot thrive properly.

    They emphasised the importance of raising the girl-child to become confident women and discussed strategies for accelerating progress towards gender equality.

    Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to diversity extends beyond internal initiatives, with collaborations and partnerships that promote gender equality.

    Through programs like the Diageo Bar Academy (DBA) and Plan-W that would have benefitted 1,400 women by the middle of this year, the company empowers women with training and resources, fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect.

    To date, the DBA program has trained over 100 female bartenders, providing them with opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

    In collaboration with local communities and non-profit organisations, Guinness Nigeria continues to support initiatives that empower women and girls, demonstrating its dedication to positively impacting society.

    Through partnerships with organisations like SightSavers, Guinness Nigeria has provided financial support, mentorship, and access to educational and vocational training programs, benefiting over 1,000 women and girls across the country.

    As Guinness Nigeria Plc leads the charge for inclusion this International Women’s Day, it sets an inspiring example for businesses and communities alike, championing diversity, equity, and inclusion at every opportunity.

  • Guinness Nigeria reports strong performance, 20% rise in revenue half year

    Guinness Nigeria reports strong performance, 20% rise in revenue half year

    Guinness Nigeria, one of the leading beverage alcohol companies has continued its growth trajectory with strong performance in its half year report after recording strong revenue growth of 20% while its operating profit rose by 31%, with its administrative expenses reducing by 6%.

    Specifically, the company has posted a revenue of N142,595,584, 000 for its half-year ended 31 December 2023, a growth of 20% over previous year.

    The unaudited result released to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) showed a 31% increase in operating profit in the period under review, while its reported revenue growth was primarily fueled by sound pricing strategies and a carefully optimised product mix, emphasising the premium categories. The company further bolstered sales by increasing trade and consumer engagement initiatives, optimising its route-to-consumer strategy to broaden its outlet coverage, and leveraging its digital capabilities.

    Key categories, particularly Malt and Ready-to-Serve, experienced notable revenue growth, while others demonstrated more modest increases.

    Interestingly, its operating profit increased by 31% and the operating margin expanded by 90bps, fueled by a 9% increase in gross profit, gains from other income (Export Expansion Grant), and reduced operating costs, even as brand investment increased by 15%.

    Read Also: Lagos bishop bags life jail for raping assistant pastor

    Upbeat, the Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr Adebayo Alli stated that “while this was a commendable performance in the face of very challenging macro environment, regrettably, the persistent devaluation of the Naira led to a substantial (N18bn) unrealised foreign exchange loss, which caused a 161% decline in profit before tax, closing the half-year at a loss of N4.4b.”

    He however stated that “management of the company remains committed to taking all steps and proactive actions necessary to continue delivering value to its stakeholders.”

    Also commenting on the results, the Board Chair, Dr. Omobola Johnson stated that, “Despite the significant macro-economic challenges faced by the company, the Board remains confident in the company’s well-devised strategy and will continue to support management to implement the strategy in a manner that delivers sustainable value to all stakeholders.” 

  • Why I am attempting the Guinness World Record, by cleric

    Why I am attempting the Guinness World Record, by cleric

    The president of Total Liberation Mission, Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba, has said his goal for attempting the Guinness World Record is to reach a wider audience with the living word of God to ensure many lives are touched.

    The cleric is proposing to undertake a 60-hour marathon sermon, covering Genesis to Revelation. According to him, he is also obeying the command in I Corinthians 9:19-23.

    Read Also: How Tinubu is fighting insecurity, by Gbajabiamila

    He said: “In total obedience to the Bible, specifically the verses quoted above, I have resolved to always take advantage of any opportunity to reach out with the Living Word of God, seizing any moment to present the message of salvation, hope, deliverance, healing, encouragement, reproof and rebuke; with the aim that as many people as possible will be touched.

    “I therefore called on those whose aim is also to ensure the word of God is brought to people at all costs to partner with me in this move.

  • Guinness Nigeria commissions solar-powered motorised water facility in Oyo communities

    Guinness Nigeria commissions solar-powered motorised water facility in Oyo communities

    Guinness Nigeria PLC, a subsidiary of Diageo PLC, marked a significant milestone with the commissioning of solar-powered motorised boreholes across Eruwa Township, New Eruwa and Lanlate communities of Ibarapa East LGA of Oyo State, recently.

    This initiative underscores the company’s unwavering commitment towards positively impacting society and ensuring the long-term sustainability of natural resources which life is dependent upon in alignment with its Environmental Social Governance Strategy – Society 2030: Spirit of Progress.

    Read Also: Year-end review: Guinness Nigeria recorded N19b losses due to FX scarcity

    Justifying the need for the initiative, the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria PLC, Mr. John Musunga, in his opening remark underscored the company’s dedication to corporate social responsibility and its mission to create a positive impact in the communities where it operates.

    “We are immensely delighted to return as a company and contribute to these communities. We are launching three water projects that will provide safe drinking water and hygiene for over 11,000 adults with a combined technical capacity to produce over 46 million liters of water annually. Our aspiration is that, in collaboration with the communities and leaders, we can ensure the enduring success of this project, benefiting not only us but also our future generations. The key to realising this vision lies in the collective responsibility of the communities to safeguard and maintain these facilities,” said an elated Musunga.

  • Ember month: Guinness Nigeria, FRSC advocate against drunk-driving

    Ember month: Guinness Nigeria, FRSC advocate against drunk-driving

    Guinness Nigeria Plc. in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), congregated with key transport stakeholders to reinforce their commitment to road safety and promote responsible alcohol consumption as part of their annual “Ember month” campaign.

    The event took place at the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Bus Terminal Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos.

    The “ember month” campaign is a strategic partnership between Guinness Nigeria and the FRSC aimed at educating road users and commercial drivers about the importance of safety behind the wheel and the hazards of drunk-driving.

     It has been an ongoing effort by the two organisations to advocate for responsible drinking.

    John Musunga, the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, emphasised the significance of the “ember month” campaign, stressing the company’s commitment to promoting the act of responsible drinking amongst commercial drivers especially during the ember months where there would be a hike in the number of travelers moving from Lagos to their home town.

    He underlined the importance of prioritising safety on the roads, particularly during the “ember months,” a term commonly used in Nigeria to refer to the last months of the year.

    Musunga stated, “Guinness Nigeria’s presence at this event symbolises our dedication to the safety and well-being of our consumers, especially those who operate commercial vehicles. We will continue to partner with the FRSC and other stakeholders in our relentless efforts to send a clear message: ‘Don’t drink and drive.’ It’s a message that can save lives.”

    Read Also: Ondo Speaker accuses Aiyedatiwa of ignoring APC peace moves

    On the issue of vehicle crashes in Lagos, the FRSC Lagos Sector Commander, Babatunde Farinloye highlighted that: “These incidents constitute huge human capacity loss and high level of trauma, social cost and other consequences that may change the course of several destinies.

    “This is the essence of our continuous campaign and interventions. Nobody’s life has to be untimely terminated as an inevitable price for mobility on the roads. Today, therefore, we are flagging-off this campaign to remind ourselves and unequivocally reiterate that crashes are self-destructive occurrences. We (the road users) are the prime causal agents; we are the victims, and we must be the solution. And it begins with our individual mindsets and convictions.”

    One of the programme’s highlights was a compelling drama performance that served to further enlighten the audience about the importance of staying alive and embracing responsible drinking.

    Assistant Corps G.I Igbokwe, the FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer for Lagos & Ogun, commended Guinness Nigeria for consistently promoting responsible drinking and raising awareness about the perils of drunk-driving.

    He emphasised the need to avoid reckless actions like drunk driving, which can jeopardise lives and property.

    Igbokwe stated: “Avoiding behaviors such as drunk driving is essential to safeguard lives and property. Notably, a majority of the accidents documented in the Lagos and Ogun regions are linked to excessive speed. Drunk driving exacerbates this problem, amplifying the risk. Therefore, it is crucial for passengers to be proactive, not passive. Actively monitor the driver’s behavior, intervening if they exceed speed limits or attempt to consume alcohol before taking the wheel. Always assess the driver’s sobriety before allowing them to drive.”

    This year’s sensitisation program brought together representatives from various transport organisations and agencies, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Lagos State FRSC Special Marshals, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS), National Automotive Technician Association, Lagos Taxi Drivers Association, and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO).

    They all echoed the message that road safety is a shared responsibility for all citizens.

    Guinness Nigeria Plc. and the FRSC are determined to continue working together to make Nigerian roads safer and to reduce the incidence of drunk driving.

    Their collaboration is a clear testament to their unwavering commitment to ensuring the well-being of all road users.

  • Nigeria remains our preferred investment destination, says MD Guinness Nigeria Plc

    Nigeria remains our preferred investment destination, says MD Guinness Nigeria Plc

    Despite economic headwinds which affected its businesses in the last operating year, the management of Guinness Nigeria Plc said it managed to strap by against all odds.

    Speaking at an interface and discussion session with some select journalists over the weekend at its corporate headquarters in Ogba, Lagos, the Managing Director/CEO Mr John Musunga led other management team including the Company Secretary Mr. Rotimi Odusola, Ayodele Alabi, and others to take stock and bring the public up to speed on certain steps taken by the brewery giant.

    Musunga, in his opening remarks dispelled rumours that the company may be planning its exit from the country, stating matter-of-factly that it was in Nigeria for the long haul.

    “In particular, we are holding this interface on the back of the story of our announcement last week about our intention to change some of our products; hence the need for this clarification. First and foremost, we have been in the Nigerian market for 74 years, so we’re parts and parcel of the Nigerian economy and we have no intention whatsoever to exit the country,” he clarified.

    While noting that it was delighted with the opportunities that Nigeria offers the company, for its brands, Musunga said it is poised to continue to add value to its teeming customers.

    “We have a very robust Research and Development as part of our business as we continuously seek what they need, preferences, aspirations of the Nigerian consuming public. With that in mind, we will continue to meet those needs.”

    According to him, the mother company Diageo which owns about 58 percent of Guinness Nigeria Plc made the decision to change the way it distributes its spirits business, especially imported spirits, which constitutes about six percent of its earnings.

    Read Also:104-year-old woman dies after skydiving attempt to break Guinness World Records

    “The reason for that is that the market demands quite a bit of capital procurement. We have quite a bit of inventory and we have to pay for inputs, which has led to huge debts between us and our current company. If you saw our results last year, when the president announced a new policy one of the biggest impacts was that it affected our bottomline. That currency devalued our balance sheets because we were carrying huge forex exposure.  We had to revalue that and that moved us from a very healthy position if we were going to report before June if the announcement had been made on July 1. But because it was made in June and our year closes at the end of June, the impact due to that devaluation we recorded about N19billion losses. But when we saw the results of other companies, we realised that our own N19billion losses was not too bad because others made substantially large amounts in losses.

    “Of course, we are not saying we are comfortable with that. So, we don’t want to carry forward that kind of situation of forex exposure in our balance sheets. That is why we’re being tactical about freeing ourselves from marketing our international spirits brands and rather use our forex to buy raw materials with the forex we receive from the government as well as our earnings instead of having to give it away again.”

    “That was one of the key motivations for that decision. I think the second is that when you take away that spirit business and you’re left with this large beer business, you’re allowing both to co-exist. Guinness Nigeria Plc remains but Diageo has committed to register a company that will sell these spirits with a distribution model that will be more efficient and allow the movements of products. So, we’re not moving away from spirit business per se but just being strategic in the way we market our international spirit brands using expertise to market and produce those brands. So I think the expectations for the business is that we will see if hopefully in the coming future the two businesses will thrive independently. As a business, we always have to look at our business in the light of the market dynamics. Thankfully, the board ratified the resolution of the team to come up with a solution.”

    Speaking on investment, the duo of Musunga and Odusola revealed that the company has since increased its capacity to produce locally.

    The highpoint of the occasion was a facility tour of the company led by Odusola, who took journalists on site to the newly acquired 25 hectares landed property valued at N7.5 billion, as part of plans to integrate all its arms within the same operating environment of a conglomerate.

  • Guinness posts N4.25b third quarter profit

    Guinness Nigeria Plc yesterday announced its unaudited results for its third quarter period ended 31st March, 2019 which showed that its net profit after tax stood at N4.25 billion. The result represents 16 per cent drop from its performance in the same period of last year.

    The results which were released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), also showed that growth in Spirits, Guinness and non-alcoholic Malta Guinness was offset by continued challenging operating environment in lager, as well as the impact of increased excise duty on value spirits. Performance was also impacted by the disruption caused by the general election.

    Cost of sales were flat versus last year while operating profit declined N3.3 billion. However, the productivity initiatives around marketing spend and distribution expenses previously introduced mitigated some of the inflationary cost of sales pressure. Profit before tax declined by N1.6 billion with operating profit decline partially offset by a reduction of N1.7 billion in net finance costs year on year.

    Marketing spend declined by four per cent as we continued to focus our investment behind the biggest growth opportunities Distribution expenses declined on the back of lower top line performance, while administrative expenses increased by seven per cent.

     

  • Guinness unveils new lager

    Global lager brewer- Guinness last  week unveiled a new product to the market christened Guinness Gold.

    The new product, according to a statement by the brewer, is the first time it will be launched in around the world.

    According to the statement, Guinness Gold is a refreshing lager, packed full of depth and character, making it ideal for Nigerians who are looking for more from their drinking experience.

    Guinness Gold , the statement said is lager beer that stands out owing to its unique combination of high-quality ingredients sourced locally and internationally.

    Speaking on the product, Uche Onwudiwe, Marketing Manager, Guinness said: “We know that consumers are looking for new drinking experiences and that is why we have developed Guinness Gold. This new lager beer is a special launch that is a collaboration between the expertise of our brewing team here in Nigeria and the team in Dublin, the birth place of Guinness. Together, they have developed a delicious lager full of flavour and depth, that we really believe will appeal to modern discerning tastes.

    “It is a refreshing lager beer with the bold character you would expect from Guinness, but it is clearly different in look and flavour to Guinness stout We’re very excited to bring it to Nigeria for the first time in the world and we’re encouraging Nigerians to celebrate life’s golden moments with Guinness Gold.”

  • Guinness Gold Lager beer launched in Nigeria

    Launching in Nigeria for the first time in the world, Guinness Gold is a refreshing lager, packed full of depth and character, making it ideal for Nigerians who are looking for more from their drinking experience.

    Guinness Gold is a characterful lager beer that will stand out from the crowd thanks to its unique combination of high-quality ingredients sourced locally and internationally. Alongside the standard malt, the addition of two speciality malts – crystal malt and amber malt- create a lager with real depth of flavour.

    Uche Onwudiwe, Marketing Manager, Guinness in an interview, said the Guinness Gold is a lager ber full of flavour and depth that we really believe will appeal to modern discerning tastes.

    Read also: Guinness commissions water facility in Kebbi community

    To help celebrate the launch, Dublin-based innovation brewer, Aisling Ryan, is in Nigeria to join the local team headed up by Colman Hanna to meet consumers and introduce them to this new beer.

    Master brewer, Aisling Ryan says, “The brewers at Guinness are passionate about bringing more flavour to drinkers around the world through our beers, and we’re very excited to be doing that here in Nigeria with our new lager beer, Guinness Gold. Working collaboratively with the pioneering brewing team in Nigeria, we wanted to develop a flavourful beer that people can discover and share every day. Staying true to the ethos of the Guinness founder, Arthur Guinness, who was a man of vision, Guinness Gold a lager beer that combines craft with science to produce a premium lager beer for Nigerians to enjoy in life’s golden moments.”

    Guinness Gold will get an official launch tonight in Lagos in a first-of-its-kind immersive consumer experience designed to demonstrate how the product will improve the lager beer drinking experience for discerning Nigerians who are looking for more from their beer.