The Nation Newspaper

Tag: influence

  • ‘Obasanjo won’t influence primaries’

    ‘Obasanjo won’t influence primaries’

    A former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Sarafa Ishola, has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo will not influence the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries in Ogun State on November 29.

    Ishola, who obtained his governorship nomination form at the national secretariat at the weekend, said all aspirants should be able to count on Obasanjo’s neutrality.

    He said: “Our father in Ogun State, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, will treat all aspirants as his children and I am sure he will bless whoever the winner is.”

    The former minister, who was accompanied by some associates and supporters, said he was better equipped to meet the people’s hopes and aspirations.

    Ishola said the large number of aspirants showed that the leadership crisis in Ogun PDP had been resolved.

    He urged other aspirants to submit themselves to democratic principles during the primaries, warning that the process must not be conducted in a way that would re-open old wounds.

  • The growing influence of Online stores

    The growing influence of Online stores

    Online stores have faced series of litmus tests bordering on credibility. Today, they seem not to battle to assure Nigerians of their genuineness anymore, as the toga of incredibility is gradually becoming a success story. TONIA ‘DIYAN writes.

    At the early stages of its entry into the Nigerian marketing space, online stores, a novel concept that is now reshaping the way shopping and marketing is done, was a pariah, as it was not a first or second option for prospective shoppers. However, with growing awareness in technology and more exposure to western markets, the tide is now changing. Therefore, the once despised mode of shopping is now the beautiful bride being embraced by techno-savvy shoppers.

    The reasons for this change are numerous; one of which is the ease of buying and paying that it offers. From the comfort of one’s room, purchase, payment and delivery are made. It is for this reason, and more, that online stores and platforms are gradually gaining credibility and warming its way into the hearts of Nigerian shoppers.

    The Nation Shopping gathered from a source that online operators have partnered with foreign experts who have vast knowledge in running such business models and expertise, thereby,  gathering from across the world the ‘technical know how’ to grow online retail stores that will be the solution to retail in sub-Saharan Africa.

    From observations, of the 40 million Nigerians who are online, a sizeable amount actually visit online stores, resulting to a rapidly growing trend in visits and purchases. It has also been noticed that a target group of individuals who have access to the internet and are in the age range of 18 to 40years shop more on line in Nigeria.

    The common questions among shoppers which use to be: ‘Can i trust Nigerian online stores?’has suddenly become ‘Which of the online store do I buy from?’ People are gradually migrating to buying items more online with the introduced ‘pay on delivery method’(see and touch what you are paying for) which is introduce to convince the average  Nigerian man that nobody intends to steal from him. This method of operation gradually built trust in the minds of many who now shop for items online.

    Many observers believe that the market growth and credibility this sector has achieved in a short time, is enough to convince people that it is a comfortable place to shop. But, shoppers who are still afraid about online fraud, are advice to seek sites that have been tried and certified safe or ask questions and do thorough background checks before spending their resources.

    Flashing back to when online business kicked off in the country and some of its success stories when it was some months old,   Jumia head, Jeremy Hodara said : “ Our reliability lies in our increasing number of page visits daily; our rise to the fifth local content site in Nigeria (from seventh, 10 months after we began operation), and our over 400,000 social media community and relocation to a 4,000 square metre warehouse, all achieved in 10 months of operations. Efficiency is in numbers, and in our case, the numbers have continually spoken for themselves.” He said.

    Generally, online stores are identified by how they sell themselves, as such, the quality of website and the constant innovations on their users’ experiences, is on the rise and operators say, this is an indication that they run a transparent business.

    According to Jumia head, Jeremy Hodara, “ We are  prompted to use the ‘payment on delivery’ method with a seven-day return policy more in Nigeria compare to other African countries where we operate so that we can project transparency because we know that we have many doubting thomas here. Apart from that, we also want to be able to provide quality and convenient retail services always. And this is working for us.” He said.

    Jeremy added that, there are evidences to show that online stores have grown to become credible in this part of the world. “As we continue to count our blessings and name them one by one by the success stories we now tell. We have been able to create several initiatives around Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through reaching out to the destitute in the society in company of notable friends in entertainment and the media who believe in what they do.”

    “In the cause of this business that was once doubted, we were able to  host a customer-focused group through which we came face to face with a select group of customers, an experience we found quite endearing and one that reminded us that we are in the right place. This happened in less than a year.”

    To ensure that Nigerians get involved in the trend, aggressive marketing, constant education through various channels (particularly social networks), increased brand awareness and offline activations including offline sales are introduced into the business model. Text messages and emails are constantly sent out to people so that they can track online activities, and be the first to know of amazing deals and bargains as soon as they come up.

    For Sim Shagaya, Konga’s boss, ‘Merging e-commerce and social networking has never been this good, buying quality products via the internet has never been this easier.’ He advises Nigerians to  always look for the best and reliable stores online; saying it is also wise to take advantage of promos and discounts as they unfold. “This business requires a lot of research before you venture into it. Once people get used to something, they ignore the risks and see it as part of their daily lives.” He said

    He added that about a year ago, he realized that for his services to be really valuable to the society, he should  build a platform for anyone, not just Konga, to sell and prosper. “We launched this platform to a limited number of sellers and in that time, we have learned how to build a truly revolutionary Nigerian online marketplace.”

    The authenticity of any online store has a lot to do with how close the website connects with consumers, emotionally and physically and this, operators take seriously.

    The Nigerian online store runs an operation that cuts across board from purchasing to up loading content on its website up to marketing the products and delivering to customers.

    The perception that only the rich shop online is wrong, with as low as N100, you can buy airtime online at a quick teller. You can also order food online at hello food.

    Online store also offer offline services

    An online market place for used and new items, such as smart phones, computers, shoes, clothing; home appliances, Kaymu.com came together with other e-commerce retail outfits to provide a viewing spot for football lovers to view the FIFA World Cup recently played in Brazil. The firm  said, this follows the pattern adopted every celebration providing an opportunity for online stores to explore their creativity and come up with unique marketing communications targeted at consumers.

    Also, Konga.com began the year with the screening of a film ‘Crocodile In The Yangtze (The Alibaba Story)’, which was geared towards encouraging entrepreneurial Nigerians to move forward with their plans and work in line with upcoming launch of a service that will help make it easy for them.

    “The first quarter of the year will see Konga launch its Super Savers, where we have launched a massive clearance sale that will run till the end of February. We have also launched a daily deals platform that will give Nigerians access to limited time offers across the Konga website.

    Konga has put up a radio programme with Beat FM and Brilla FM to reward consumers with discount codes to shop for free on their website.

    Konga has provided an offering which  caters for  wholesalers/ retailers, road side/ market traders in Surulere, Alaba, Aba, Onitsha, Kaduna, as well as enterprising individuals across the country with amazing products. The purpose for this is to revolutionise the way buyers and sellers interact, with a model that is more convenient for the seller and more attractive to the buyer. It will serve as the great equalizer/nation builder which will continue to boost employment, trade and powering economic growth and development in the country.

    Maxitech, a computer and electronics dealer based in Lagos who has benefited from the earlier launched Konga market had this to say; “I have been selling computers for a number of years now in Lagos and to customers in neighbouring cities, but I must admit that what Konga.com has been able to do for my business has increased my sales portfolio not only locally but nationwide.

    Likely growth, two years from now

    Online shopping by urban consumers will be more than double over the next two years, this is according to a source. Explaining reason as; digital influence is rapidly expanding to small urban towns and rural areas, thereby, increasing the number of mobile users in country.

    According to the source, discounts will not be the only driving force for people to switch to online shopping, as was previously thought, but factors like convenience and access to wider assortment is also largely to influence shopping decisions as time goes on.

     

  • Access Bank backs rising influence of women in business

    Access Bank backs rising influence of women in business

    •N2b for women empowerment 

    Access Bank Plc has said the crucial roles that women played in the economic and social life of the country could be at risk unless women are championed and supported in their role in shaping the country’s future.

    Speaking during the International Women’s Day, its Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe said women needed to be treated with equity and justice. “Equality for women is progress for all. It’s a future that we believe in. We recognise that empowering women empowers the whole nation where men or women are not judged by their gender but talents; where they have equal access to bank accounts, loans, mortgages or businesses. This sums up the future that all of us at Access Bank are committed to,” he said.

    Through the bank’s Gender Empowerment (GEM) programme they extended N2 billion in financing to women-owned businesses to promote gender equality and empowerment. Access Bank also plans to launch a new online programme and product to boost grassroots women interest in business. “The W”, as it is called would support a network of women from around the world, who want to be inspired, connected and empowered.

    W is about the WOMAN. “The W” is designed to be an interactive online community designed to inspire, promote and connect women; in ways you won’t find in the mainstream, no matter what you do, where you are and who you bank with.

    Ope Wemi-Jones, the head of Women Banking in Access Bank Plc, while discussing how Nigerian banks can help propel the businesses of women in Nigeria, said “I am delighted to announce this programme as women account for one-third of small- and medium-sized enterprises and yet banks grant them only a fraction of the available credit. This discrepancy exists even though women have proven themselves to be profitable bank customers and have a strong track record when repaying loans and a higher savings ratio”.

    She added that the “The W experience will complement our new women-focused products by seeking to provide women with information, networking opportunities and privileges that enhance their lifestyles, and helps them build their career and businesses”.

    It said that many countries around the world are making efforts to bridge the gap between men and women in business adding that in Nigerian, women representation in business has improved but more has to be done. Women constitute 30 per cent of the bank’s board, which is impressive by international standards. We want to lead from the front in seeing that change.

    The bank believes in women whose boldness spur others into action like the richest woman in Africa Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija; the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; the first female chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar and Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, who is a seasoned business woman that made her first million Naira when she was only twenty-four years old. It said the success of such women has provided opportunities for other women entrepreneurs to thrive on.

    For instance, Isikan Edet, a business woman with a background in finance, said that she gained her inspiration from the success story of Mrs. Folorunso Alakija. She said the future of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as it relates to women involvement will be determined by the next phase of policies that banks will seek to pursue adding that these policies allow less stringent qualifications in seeking for loan for businesses then there will be massive growth in the sector.

    A survey by Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index found that female start-ups are on the rise in emerging markets. In the African countries surveyed, 69 per cent of the female population identified the opportunity to start a business.

    Female startup activity in the region stood at 86 female to every 100 male startups. The data also showed three quarters of the 30 countries surveyed do not have the most fundamental conditions required for female entrepreneurs to prosper. Nigeria is a high performer in terms of percentage of female managers, but is weaker when it comes to access to education and finance and overall ranks in the lower bracket of the countries studied.

  • How to influence the world

    How to influence the world

    Not many Nigerians will agree with Time Magazine that Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde aptly described as Queen of Nollywood named among the magazine’s 2013 edition of The 100 Most Influential People in the World is the most influential person in the country.

    Some people have wondered what she has done to deserve such global recognition. We are all entitled to our opinion but what cannot be denied is the fact that she is indeed an accomplished Nigerian in her own right with her contributions to the movie industry in Nigeria.

    For a mother of four who has played leading roles in about 300 movies and has no scandal associated with her in an industry known for all kinds of sleaze, Jolade-Ekeinde is a role model.

    Richard Corliss, Time’s movie critic who profiled OmoSexy as the actress is called by her fans noted that Jalade-Ekeinde brings a juggler’s grace to her roles as actress, singer, reality-show star, mother of four and philanthropist. “Success hasn’t spoiled Africa’s most renowned leading lady. Rather than going Hollywood, Omotola wants to stay Nollywood” Corliss wrote.

    To be sure, the list always generates controversies worldwide with observers always wondering what the basis of selection by the TIME editors are. Bill James, inventor of modern baseball statistics who was named in the 2006 was told by a friend that he was not even one of the 100 most influential people with the Rex Sox, a professional baseball team based in Boston, where he worked.

    In the 2007 Time 100 list, managing editor Richard Strengel according to Wikipedia explained that the Time 100 was not a list of the hottest, most popular or most powerful people, but rather the most influential.

    “Influence is hard to measure, and what we look for is people whose ideas, whose example, whose talent, whose discoveries transform the world we live in. Influence is less about the hard power of force than the soft power of ideas and example,” he stated.

    Instead of engaging in needless arguments about who should make the list or not, I prefer to note what they are being acknowledged for. I am interested in how whatever they have done, however little has contributed to making the world a better place.

    There is a lot to learn from the lives of most of the people on the list which anyone who wants to influence the world should emulate.

    Valerie Jarrett, 56, an adviser of US President, Barrack Obama was described as first among equals.

    “ She brings clarity of thought and purpose to her work. She is a good listener who comes to the table not with some preset notion of distrust but rather an open mind; she asks tough questions and tries to find solutions,” Jeffrey Immelt, Chairman of the board and CEO of General Electric wrote about Jarrett.

    Indian Finance Minister, 67, Palaniappan Chidambaram listed in the Titan category according to Ruchir Sharma, head of emerging markets at Morgan Stanley is detail-oriented. “He works from 8- 8 and has a reputation of getting a lot of things done.”

    On Basketball star, LeBron James, 28, Derek Jeter, shortstop for the New York Yankees wrote, “He never takes a rest, on any play. His all-out effort is what stands out when you watch him. He is someone anyone, in any profession, can look up to. Set the bar high for yourself, like LeBron does.”

  • American influence on Kenya

    American influence on Kenya

    Republican strategist Nino Saviano is not who you would expect to find at the helm of a political campaign in Kenya.

    But a Kenyan politician was so eager to win a seat in parliament that he brought Saviano, of Savi Political Consulting, to his dusty, rural hometown to craft an American-style, get-out-the-vote push.

    There were no voters’ lists. Few people had landlines. Door-knocking was tough because houses were often many miles apart. So they held street rallies and collected the cell phone numbers from people who accepted free buttons, hats, and stickers from the campaign.

    “You really have to get creative,” he said.

    Washington may be broken, and politics beyond repair, but American campaign culture may well be our most significant export, especially this year in Kenya.

    On Sunday, Kenya held an historic presidential election. If you look hard enough, you can find American fingerprints all over it.

    Five years after a disputed presidential race ended with politicians inciting their supporters to terrible acts of violence, Kenya passed a new constitution to make its democracy work better. Instead of concentrating power in a winner-take-all presidency, some power will go to elected governors and local assemblies, just like in the United States.

    Even the lingo is adapted from US politics, closely watched in Kenya because of President Obama’s heritage. Instead of swing voters, Nairobi pundits speak of “swing tribes” that will determine the outcome in a country that largely votes along ethnic lines.

    At the campaign headquarters of presidential candidate Peter Kenneth, the walls are covered in maps and flip charts showing various blocs of voters. Kenneth has read “Audacity to Win,” David Plouffe’s book about the lessons of the Obama campaign, three times. Kenneth — like another candidate, Martha Karua — uses NationBuilder, a software program developed by a former John Kerry campaign aide that helps politicians rally support through Facebook and Twitter.

    And this year, Kenya held its first presidential debate ever. All eight candidates shifted uncomfortably onstage and actually stopped talking when the moderator told them their time was up.

    Compare that to the days of Daniel arap Moi, who ruled Kenya for 28 years. His idea of campaigning was nodding to a crowd from a kingly chair on a decorated platform, while women’s groups sang to him in traditional garb. Moi rarely subjected himself to the indignity of answering questions on camera, and never to a televised battle of wits.

    So is the United States a good influence on Kenyan politics?

    Saviano thinks so.

    “We tend to make candidates look more appealing,” he said, especially to voters outside of their own tribes.

    But Western consultants don’t always play such a positive role.

    Five years ago, Dick Morris, a key political adviser to President Clinton in the mid-1990s, offered his services pro bono to Raila Odinga, a presidential front-runner.

    After Odinga lost narrowly in a vote that was widely seen as rigged, he called for street protests which quickly turned violent. Members of his ethnic group clashed with the ethnic groups of his top rivals.

    One of those rivals, Uhuru Kenyatta, was indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal, for allegedly orchestrating reprisal attacks. Kenyatta’s defence lawyer, Steven Kay, accused Morris of engineering popular protests instead of accepting the election results. Kay told the court that it was “a copycat production” of the unrest that brought another Morris client, Viktor Yushchenko, to power in Ukraine in 2005. Morris was eventually expelled from Kenya.

    But those accusations haven’t stopped Odinga from becoming a front-runner again this year. Nor has the indictment at the Hague stopped Kenyatta from being a neck-and-neck favorite. To repair his image, Kenyatta hired Ed Staite, a British consultant who specializes in “reputation management.”

    Karl Rove has nothing on these guys. With front-runners like this, it is easy to get cynical. It’s easy to conclude that politics everywhere is about money, power, and ethnic allegiances. If there is any hope that this crazy exercise will result in better governance — in folks at the top being more accountable to folks at the bottom — then it comes from Kenyans like Boniface Mwangi, a photojournalist who documented the political killings back in 2007.

    “Kenyans from all tribes are on the same queue to vote,” he tweeted. “We should accept the outcome of that vote peacefully.”

    •Culled from Boston Globe

  • ‘Politicians tempt judges with money to influence election petition’

    Politicians tempt judges with huge money to influence their decision on election petition, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court said yesterday.

    Justice Olufunmilola Adekeye said this during a public presentation of a book: “Election petition practice and procedure in Nigeria: A petitioner’s guide,” in Abuja.

    She clocked 70 last week and retired from the apex court.

    Justice Adekeye said: “Winners and losers should learn to congratulate each other after elections; that is never the case in Nigeria. Immediately after every election, there begins a long-drawn legal battle. It is always the do-or-die-syndrome. After every election there must be litany of petitions. Section 285 of the constitution created the tribunals.

    “Politicians have developed the knack of using election petition periods as time to malign judges, batter them or say all sorts of things against them in the media.

    “That notwithstanding, I encourage judges to always stand on the path of truth, play your own role according to the oath of office you swore to uphold. Don’t let them discourage you. The truth is that no judge will go to any politician to seek bribe; it is these same politicians that will start looking for the judges all the places, through relations, friends and close associates.

    “As Nigerians, we must always stand up and defend our judges and protect their integrity. It is a pity that most times, even the political class does not understand the role of judges in democratic settings.

    “I urge the ruling class and political parties to always put the country first. Let us all close ranks for the sake of Nigeria, even though what they do at the political parties level is another thing altogether.

    “For the sake of Nigerians and the future of our country, we want peace. We must give the youth of this country the proper orientation. For me, charity begins with them.”

    Also at the event, former Lagos Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said it would be difficult for Nigerians to live in peace without an acceptable and just system of government.

    In the speech read by a member of the House of Representatives, Bimbo Daramola, Tinubu said Nigerians must be allowed to choose their leaders through a free and fair election.

    He said: “How can governments continue to have legitimacy unless they are formed by the will of the people they govern?

    “How can the will of the people be determined except in elections that are free and fair? And how can elections be free and fair unless all participants abide by the ground rules and have access to an independent and impartial arbiter in the event of disputes?

    “I have posed the questions above in order to underline the utmost importance of the subject on which this book has been written. Without doubt, the proper and efficient adjudication of election petitions have a direct link to the peace and prosperity of the nation. Elections must be conducted in accordance with acceptable and well-defined rules and aggrieved persons must have access to justice.

    “Now, having access to justice is not sufficient. Anyone with knowledge of how judicial systems operate will appreciate that the knowledge and mastery of the application of the rules of court is much more important. This is even more so, where the matter belongs to that class of specialised subjects with which only few lawyers are conversant.

    “It is on this basis that we must all commend and applaud the author of this book in documenting knowledge in this all-important area of law and at this stage of our national development. As a person with firsthand knowledge of Nigeria’s electoral system and its impact on governance, I am very pleased with the publication of this book.”

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, was represented by Justice Walter Onnoghen of the Supreme Court. Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Lawal Uwais, also attended the event.