The Nation Newspaper

Tag: launches

  • Nigeria Info launches visual radio

    In a move aimed at changing radio listenership for better, talk, news and sports radio station, Nigeria Info, has introduced a new concept into the radio broadcast landscape.

    Known as ‘Visual Radio’, the management of the station says that the aim is to afford listeners the opportunity to watch their favorite local FM radio presenters in action on their computers and mobile devices deploying professional, multi-camera positions and angles with high-quality effects, graphics and multiple ad spaces.

    According to its management, it is a new dimension in radio broadcasting with interactive content and services for mobile radio listeners.

    In the words of Serge Noujaim, the radio network’s CEO: “We now live in an instant and content-hungry world. Modern radio must compete with multiple attention-grabbing sources to engage, maintain and grow audiences. This must not be at the expense of making great radio. It should be an addition to it. And we are proud to be the first in Nigeria to do so.”

    Speaking further, he said that with ‘Visual Radio’, listeners can enjoy engaging and exciting content: visuals, information, and entertainment of what’s playing over the air. Listeners can also participate in the radio station’s promotions, polls, contests, and interact with the show hosts and their special guests.

    Femi Obong-Daniels, the network’s Head of Stations adds; “Visual Radio presents a unique opportunity for advertisers to expand their radio advertising reach to a global audience online beyond the ears to countless eyeballs.”

    Visual Radio is already a fast-growing game-changing global phenomenon and Nigeria still has much ground to cover in catching up with the West; a quest that has now begun courtesy of Nigeria Info, with sister stations Cool FM and Wazobia FM following closely in leveraging on this new technology.

  • StageRave Ent launches artiste booking website

    STAGERAVE Entertainment, a music booking agency and management outfit in Lagos, has announced the launch of its new website – stagerave.com.ng. The website is the easiest way for the public to book the artiste of their choice, engage with them and get a comprehensive update about their schedules, tours, and upcoming events, according to its promoters.

    “Investors don’t want to invest in upcoming talents in Nigeria because they’re scared they will not make a profitable return on their investment,” said Joseph Samuel-Iwok, the CEO.

    “This is why we have created this platform, to bridge the gap between identifying talents and creating the opportunities for individuals and corporate organisations to invest and make profit. We have just taken a major step to simplify the process by creating the website.”

    With this development, the public (individuals, churches and corporate organisations) can book the artiste of their choice for live performances, corporate events, church programmes and other specialised services like voice over, studio sessions etc.

    StageRave Entertainment is connected to Africori; Africa’s leading digital music distribution, licensing, and publishing company promoting the wealth of Africa around the world. This makes it possible for the music content of artistes on the platform to get the deserved promotion and circulation it needs so as get to its audience around Africa and all over the world.

  • Equity Assurance launches mobile insurance product

    Equity Assurance Plc., a member of SUNU Group, has announced the launch of its innovative mobile (USSD) insurance solution.

    The company Chairman, Abba Kyari Bukar, while speaking at the launch in Lagos, said Equity mobile insurance solution is not just innovative for the sake of it, but designed to address existential challenges that have faced insurance customers in Nigeria over the past 100 years.

    The product, he said, is a simple, first-of-its kind, self-service solution, which enables car owners to  purchase authentic 3rd Party Auto Insurance with the use of their mobile phones in less than five minutes.

    Kyari Bukar pointed out that the company was aware of the government’s drive towards achieving financial inclusion across the country hence the development of the product to further the objective.

    He stressed that the product is available to everyone, regardless of their GSM network, type of phone or whether or not they have access to the internet..

    He further stated that the company’s decision to develop this ground-breaking mobile insurance solution is aimed at ensuring excellent customer experience at all times and affordable cost.

    He added that it guarantees customers’ convenience, easy and secure access, real-time interaction and speedy service, noting that it serves as a platform for customers’ engagement, claims payment and other after-purchase services.

    The company Managing Director, Moruf Apampa, said the  mobile (USSD)  application also serves as a platform for customers’ engagement, claims payment and other after-purchase services.

    He said:“The company’s decision to develop this ground-breaking mobile insurance solution is aimed at ensuring excellent customer experience at all times for its existing and prospective customers at affordable cost.

    “The application will be available to all customers, regardless of their GSM network or type of phone they use, whether they have internet access or not, effective December 8, 2017.

    “Furthermore, Demo and animated illustrations can be viewed by prospective customers and general public on the firm’s website in order to better understand how to purchase/use the product as well as its different service features and functionalities,” he noted.

    SUNU  Group is a leading Insurance Group that operates in 14 countries in Africa.

  • Union launches website

    Private Telecommunication and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria  (PTECSSAN)  has inaugurated a website to bridge communication gap between the union and its members.

    At the inauguration, its President, Oladapo  Sunday Moses , said workers in the sector are scattered within and outside the nation, handling projects aimed at making communication easier for Nigerians.

    “We felt the need to make reaching us a lot easier. We launch the website to bridge communication gap between PTECSSAN and its members (existing and new). Majority of companies in our jurisdiction are multi-nationals,” he said.

    The world, according to him, has become a global village where one can reach any person anywhere at the same time, adding that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, they have a registered trade union in the private telecommunications’ and communication’s sector.

    He said: “Forty-eight hours after the launch of the website, we have had over 20,000 mention on Twitter, site traffic, which can be monitored even right on the site, and it showed tremendous visit from Europe, America, Asia and others. We have more inquiries now than before even from places and companies we never knew existed in our sector.

    “The site is not close or peculiar to our targeted audience only, in few days, researchers looking into the history and origin of labour and workers’ right will have our website as a valuable tool for a good result. Our team of experts are looking into the history of the civil service union right from the 1900, the world over and Nigeria in particular. Also, the website will be a good link as our news page will beam live and updated news around the world and in Nigeria.

    “Virtually all news feeds will be accessible via our channel. When we say news we mean serious news about important and necessary happenings.“

    Secretary-General of Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NUR),  Comrade Segun Esan urged all unions to patronise the telecommunications’ union on ICT issues in other to  champion the affairs of labour movement.

    National President of United Labour Congress, (ULC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, commended PTECSSAN  for the achievement The General Secretary of PTECSSAN, Comrade Abdullahi Okonu  said the reasons behind the website  is  to project the image of the union to the world and to reach out to its current members and the prospective ones.

  • Falcon Chemicals launches cost effective paints

    Falcon Chemicals, an indigenous chemical manufacturing company based in Ogun State, has introduced a cost-effective, locally-produced decorative paint raw material for gloss and emulsion paint.

    Director of Operations, Falcon Chemicals, Mr Babatunde Adefarati, said the product was an outcome of the ingenuity of the company’s research team.

    Speaking at a paint coating show in Lagos, Adefarati said that the company’s new product which is a Titanium substitute for both water based decorative paints and solvent based paints were sourced locally through a team of researchers in the organisation.

    He said the product will dramatically change the world of painting in Nigeria as the new product will save paint manufacturers cost of production and also help boost the quality of their work.

    He said the company has made a partial arrangement with another big processing plant to undertake the procedure of making the product on a large scale, adding that the arrangement with the bigger manufacturing company is to help in effective processing of the raw material leading to an end product with a world class standard.

  • Olam Sanyo Foods launches new noodles

    Olam Sanyo Foods, a joint venture between Olam International and Japanese noodle-maker Sanyo Foods, has launched its Cherie Egglicious, the first noodles in Nigeria to contain real egg.

    At the launch at Bristol Palace Hotel, Kano, Category Head, Beverages, Noodles & Culinary, Olam Sanyo Foods, Mr. Sidhartha Samal said Cherie Egglicious noodles was developed after large- scale research across the country.

    “We observed two things when meeting mothers – most of them added eggs to noodles and almost all cited stickiness as a major issue, especially when cooked noodles were prepared in lunch boxes for children to take to school. Cherie Egglicious, therefore makes life easier for mothers because it’s non-sticky, they also know that they are giving their families the goodness of real egg, plus Vitamin A and Iron,” Samal said.

    He noted that Cherie Egglicious is available across the country through distribution partners and supermarkets in two sizes that meet family needs – 70g and 120g and they are suitable for consumers of all ages.

    During the launch, Cherie brand ambassador and Kannywood star, Ali Nuhu, sampled a bowl of Cherie Egglicious noodles and then urged fans to try it too.

    “Cherie Egglicious noodles are delicious and nutritious. My whole family are fans of the Cherie noodles and they will love Egglicious, as well as the power of egg. These noodles are not sticky and they are fortified with minerals and vitamins. Everyone should go out to try them now,” Nuhu said.

    More than 150 guests were invited to try innovative noodles recipes created with Cherie Egglicious. As part of the launch promotion, consumers who buy a carton of 40 noodles will get four packets free. This launch offer will be available across Nigeria.

  • SEC launches Capital Market Development Fund

    To spur growth of the capital Market and the Nigerian economy, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday launched the Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund (NCMDF).

    The mandate of the NCMDF is to provide funding for the Nigerian Capital Market’s developmental initiatives.

    In his remarks, Director General of the SEC and also Chairman of the NCMDF Board, Mounir Gwarzo said the SEC developed the 10-year Capital Market Master Plan (CMMP) as a blueprint for ensuring the growth of the capital market in Nigeria.

    He said, “The Commission has provided the initial takeoff grant for the Fund but going forward the entire capital market community should come together to discuss details of how we can all contribute to the continued funding for this critical market vehicle.”

    Director, Market Development of SEC, Mr. Henry Roland described the establishment of the fund as part of the Commission’s strategic efforts to deepen “its statutory mandate of developing and building a robust mechanism to facilitate the capital market.”

    According to Roland, “the NCMDF, among other responsibilities is expected to initiate and carry out plans and programmes aimed at the development of the capital market, generate and provide funds for financing of market development programmes facilitate the introduction of new products aimed at deepening the market; and also undertake and sponsor research and scholarly projects aimed at advancing knowledge and understanding of the capital market.”

    Speaking before inaugurating the board yesterday, former DG of SEC, Dr. Suleyman Ndanusa under whose administration the NCMDF was conceived called on the members of the Board to consider the assignment as a national call to service.

    He said the primary focus of establishing the NCMDF  is to fund  relevant market development initiatives that will spur growth of the market and the Nigerian economy.

    Equally, the fund seeks to facilitate the introduction of proper understanding of new products to deepen the market, provide capacity building to tackle emerging challenges and create an industry wide synergy through partnership with government and non governmental agencies and corporate bodies with similar objectives.

    According to him, “we will do whatever we can to facilitate the development of the Nigerian Capital Market. We pledge to do our best to our best improve the Capital market”, Ndanusa said.”

  • SEC launches capital market development fund

    Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria’s apex capital market regulator, has established a Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund (NCMDF) to foster the development of the capital market through promotion of innovative products, inclusive participation and investor education.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the board of NCMDF in Abuja, former chairman of the board of SEC and former Director General of SEC, Dr. Suleyman Ndanusa  commended SEC on its efforts at discharging its primary mandate of regulating and developing the Nigerian capital market particularly in the area of investor protection.

    Ndanusa noted that the apex regulatory organization in recent times has been unrelenting in its efforts at implementing numerous initiatives aimed at developing the market.

    He highlighted some of the initiatives to include the launch of the National Investor Protection Fund, a trust scheme established to compensate investors who incurred losses arriving from insolvency and bankruptcy as well as dematerialization of share certificate, direct cash settlement system, and the on-going e-dividend registration.

    Ndanusa said the primary focus of NCMDF is to fund relevant market development initiatives that will spur growth of the market and the Nigerian economy.

    According to him, the fund seeks to facilitate the introduction of proper understanding of new products to deepen the market, provide capacity building to tackle emerging challenges and create an industry wide synergy through partnership with government and non governmental agencies and corporate bodies with similar objectives.

    He noted that considering the dynamic nature of the global economic system particularly the financial sector, regulators worldwide continue to seek relevant initiative to create opportunities and tackle emerging challenges.

    “The lunching of the Nigerian Capita Market Development Board is therefore expected to contribute greatly towards the developmental efforts of the SEC to grow the market, enhance financial inclusion and regulatory visibility. I am glad to note that the board members chosen have impressive pedigree and were selected on account of their proven integrity, wealth of experience and unrelenting contributions towards the development of the Nigerian capital market,” Ndanusa said.

    In his remarks, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mounir Gwarzo said the NCMDF was part of the Commission’s mandate to deepen the market and enhance the socio economic development of the country.

    He noted that SEC developed the 10-year Capital Market Master Plan (CMMP) as a blueprint for the development of a vibrant capital market in Nigeria, adding that the Commission has been putting all its energy, resources and time into implementing the master plan.

    “The Commission has provided the initial takeoff grant for the Fund but going forward the entire capital market community should come together to discuss details of how we can all contribute to the continued funding for this critical market vehicle. The board appointment is a call to service as a crucial enabler in the industry which will require total commitment and dedication of the highest standards, attributes which I am confident that the board members epitomize individually and collectively. The Commission has played its part and will continue to take its market development mandate with all seriousness. We shall ensure that the fund immediately gets down to the important business of facilitating capital market development in accordance with the rules guiding its operation,” Gwarzo said.

    The NCMDF was incorporated on August 7, 2017 and the composition of the board was approved by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun on October 9, 2017. Members of the board include Mounir Gwarzo  – Chaiman, Non executive Commissioner of SEC – Vice Chairman, Executive Commissioner of SEC, Mrs Olubunmi Siyanbola – Director, Home Finance, Ministry of Finance; Dr. Faruk Umar – Chairman, Association for the Advancement of the Rights of Nigerian Shareholders; Mr. Sunny Nwosu – Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi – President, Institute of Capital Market Registrars – Represented by Walter Oghogho and Ify Ejeizie – Association of Stock Broking Houses of Nigeria.

     

  • OK Foods launches premium milk cookies

    OK Foods has launched its “Pure Bliss Premium Milk Cookies” as the food-manufacturing company continued to expand its operations and product portfolio to meet the tastes and needs of Nigerian consumers.

    The latest launch was the third launch in the Pure Bliss range after Pure Bliss Milk Cream Wafers and Pure Bliss Rich Cocoa Biscuits which were launched in 2016. The two initial launches have done phenomenally well in Nigerian market and have gained massive consumer acceptance.

    Consumer data showed that on the average, Nigerians are buying more than 100 packs of Pure Bliss every moment. The new product is available in an attractive 75g pack that is handy for people to carry anywhere.

    Speaking at the launch at Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Brand Manager, Biscuits, Ok Foods, Miss Olaitan Osunbunmi, said the decision to launch a rich milk cookie in the Pure Bliss range came from the yearning of Nigerians, especially the youth for a rich milk cookie experience.

    According to her, the Pure Bliss premium milk cookies were produced with the needs of Nigerians in mind as the product delivers excellently on taste, packaging and premium.

    She noted that beyond the rich milk experience that the product offers, the brand is a companion that lights up the day and gives the indulgent comfort that Nigerians seek as they go through their daily hustle.

    Category Head, Biscuits & Confectionery, OK Foods, Mr Ashwin Prabhu, said the company has put in place a supportive marketing plan that will ensure that the product becomes a winner that consistently adds delight to the lives of all Nigerians.

    He said OK Foods is proud to be the pioneer in making premium indulgence biscuits that is on par with premium international offerings in the category.

    He added that Pure Bliss Premium Milk Cookies will be manufactured in the company’s facility in Lagos.

    Guests at the launch, who tasted the new Pure Bliss Premium Milk Cookies, testified to its irresistible taste and superior rich milky experience.

  • Ooni launches Nigerian Breweries’ Goldberg’s Isedowo

    Ooni launches Nigerian Breweries’ Goldberg’s Isedowo

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has launched Goldberg’s empowerment scheme, Isedowo, by Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc.

    The event, which held at the palace of the monarch in Ile Ife, Osun State, was attended by prominent obas and chiefs from the Southwest.

    The Ooni expressed his appreciation for the youth emancipation initiative and praised NB Plc for taking a bold step at improving the lot of small scale entrepreneurs in the Southwest region.

    “I thank Goldberg lager beer and Nigerian Breweries for this community partnership with the Yoruba people. By leading the way to support the businesses and entrepreneurial potential of artisans in the Southwest, you have challenged other corporate bodies to give back to the society where they operate,” the monarch said.

    The monarch called on all Yoruba youths, who are skilled in the trade, to grab the opportunity to showcase their business potential and be rewarded.

    NB’s Marketing Director, Nigeria, Franco Maria Maggi, declared  that Goldberg was honoured to identify with the king through Isedowo. He added that the empowerment initiative presented a mutually benefitting union between the monarch, who is the custodian of the Yoruba culture, and Goldberg, a brand that not only respects the values and traditions of the Yoruba people, but seeks to empower young men and women in the region.

    “We believe that as the custodian of the Yoruba culture, your blessings will rub off positively on Isedowo. It will set it on a path of achieving the objectives of positively transforming the lives of its beneficiaries, with spill over effects on the larger economy by way of increased job creation and income,” Maggi said.

    The occasion also witnessed the rewarding of the first set of entrepreneurs who were selected as the best in Osun State.

    Adeola Olajide, an auto mechanic from Abeokuta, Ogun State, who resides and works in Ile Ife, emerged as one of the beneficiaries and was rewarded at the occasion. He expressed his gratitude to Goldberg for the support, adding that the initiative was a welcome development.

    “When I heard the news on radio, I realised this is one of a kind in this part of the country, and I decided to grab the opportunity. I am very happy to have emerged a winner and with my reward, I intend to buy equipment that would bring about ease in my business,” he said.

    The company enjoined those who wished to benefit from its empowerment scheme to showcase their business ideas and how they would impact on the society at any of the Isedowo centres in the Southwest. There would be a screening of applicants and their business ideas. The top 100 participants would be rewarded with a grant of N300,000 each, totalling N30 million for all participants to support their businesses.

    Goldberg is a leading supporter of culture through its Isedowo programme.