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Tag: Managing Director

CMC Connect clinches premium steel PR account

CMC Connect, perception management consulting firm has clinched the PR account of Nigerian integrated steel manufacturing giant, Premium Steel & Mines Limited (PSML), following a pitch process which lasted two months.

Premium Steel and Mines Limited is an integrated steel manufacturing company, with stated objectives of becoming a market leader in the sub-Saharan African steel industry.

Reacting to the success of the account, Group Managing Director, CMC Connect Limited, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, said the appointment of his agency as the public relations consultants to Premium Steel, a key player in the steel sector, is an addition to the organisation’s impressive portfolio. He noted that the agency is tasked with the responsibility of managing the corporate PR activities of the steel giant, which include, reputation management, media management, CSR leveraging and strategic communication.

“We are glad to be connected with a brand like Premium Steel. Their drive to become a notable contributor to the diversification of the Nigerian economy aligns with Federal Government’s current focus. Our goal is to ensure a partnership that delivers on the seamless resumption of operations, that guarantees efficient delivery and support the brand’s business objectives with strategic and innovative PR ideas. We are very happy with the appointment and our appreciation goes to the team for their diligence and confidence in winning the account,” Badejo-Okusanya noted.

In his reaction to CMC Connect clinching the lucrative account, Managing Director, Premium Steel, Mr Mishra Prasanta, expressed delight at the new partnership between the two iconic brands. “We are excited to work with an experienced PR firm such as CMC Connect Burson-Marsteller, which stands out among other communications consultants in the industry. We strongly believe that working with CMC Connect will help us in achieving our overall objectives.”

Premium Steel reiterated its confidence in CMC Connect’s expertise, noting that the firm will strategically help Premium Steel in delivering its mandate to add value to the Nigerian economy. With the new communications consultant on board, the organisation will be positioned in line with the current government’s desire to diversify the economy and create new streams of revenue for the government.

Premium Steel and Mines Limited is a subsidiary of the Stallion Group and have recently taken over the assets of the former Delta Steel Company located in Ovwian-Aladja, Delta State. Premium Steel has its technical partners MECON Steel of India.

CMC Connect had earlier this year won the PR business for FBNQuest Limited, the Investment Banking and Asset Management business of FBN Holdings Plc, a key player in the financial sector of the Nigerian economy. The core responsibilities include providing strategic communications, advisory and media management services, corporate communications, financial communications, brand PR, digital PR and monitoring, among several other services.

CMC Connect is a strategic communications consultancy firm that started in 1992 with the mission to deliver cutting-edge, strategy-driven perception solutions that add intrinsic value to its clients’ businesses, utilising the best talent resources, in the best traditions of work excellence and creativity.

The firm has become a holding company under the group’s new business structure with four other firms namely; Tangalo Africa, I-Octane, Re-Ignite Public Affairs, and CMC Connect Burson-Marsteller, the flagship business.

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October 18, 2016
Indomie rewards heroic kids with N1million each

Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Noodles on Saturday rewarded three children with N1million worth of scholarship each, for acts of heroism to mark the 9th edition of Indomie Independence Day Awards (IIDA) for Heroes of Nigeria.

The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative from Dufil Primal Foods seeks to identify and award the positive efforts, strong character, and achievements of young people between the age of 5 and 15years, who have exhibited various acts of bravery or heroism at one time or the other across the nation.

The first awardee in the intellectual category, Timilehin Daoni, exhibits his heroism in the area of information technology. Among the many things developed and invented by Timilehin, he has designed the Lagos Fourth Mainland Bridge, a vacuum cleaner, etc.

Also, the second awardee of the night, Salisu Ibrahim, who is sight impaired, was considered for his social heroism of sponsoring himself to special School for the blind in Borno State. Similarly, Ibrahim is an apprentice with a Shoe cobbler in the same state where he produces shoes of different sizes and shapes for individuals, who are able-bodied. He was accompanied by one of his teachers from the Special school.

In the category of bravery, Faith Nwene, from Cross-River State, was awarded for her display of courage which helped to save a life and also lead to the arrest of a murderer, who had succeeded in killing two girls. Nwene, like other awardees, appreciated Dufil Primal Foods for the award and encouragement given, which according to Timilehin, will help them (the winners) do even better.

Delivering the keynote address, Modupe Olateju, Managing Director at The Education Partnership (TEP) Centre noted that Nigerian children are the ingredient for nation building observing that about 45 per cent of Nigerian population are children.

Her words: “Our priority is to develop the potentials of these children. The earlier we begin to provide opportunities for Nigerian children to show and develop their potentials, the more we stand to gain.”

Popularly known as MO, the education consultant recounting how Nigeria adopted the Child’s Right Act in 2003 stressing that the quality of education any child gets in Nigeria should not be determined by how poor or wealthy the parents are.

Similarly, the former Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Olorunnimbe Mamora, commended Dufil Prima Foods and other sponsors for the initiative stressing that the importance of education cannot be overemphasized.

Mamora urged the Noodles company to ensure that the heroes and heroines are not abandoned after the award season to ensure continuity.

The IIDA night was graced by dignitaries from Government functionaries like the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, represented b Mrs. Ronke Solomon, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, ably represented by Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, as well as entertainers like Gordons, Sound Sultan and many more.

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October 11, 2016
Amadeus will continue to invest in Nigeria, says Vice President, Africa

Vice-Président, Africa, Amadeus, the world’s leading Global Distribution System (GDS) for travel service providers and sellers across the globe, Mr Paul De Villiers, has described Nigeria as the most critical partner of the organisation in Africa.

Speaking at the official opening of the new office of Amadeus, Nigeria at the Dophin Estate Extension in Ikoyi last week, Villiers noted that Amadeus is committed to the development of the aviation and travel industry in the country.

While welcoming the company’s customers and other stakeholders who graced the occassion, De Villiers said: “Nigeria is extremely important to us in Africa and that is for so many reasons. The first is that Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa.

The second is that I am convinced that there is a huge growth coming to Nigeria in coming years, One of the most impressive things about Nigeria is its people. The Nigerians I have met are all ambitous, energetic, dynamic, they want to progress. And that is what a nation needs.

“In a lot of other countries, the people’s biggest ambition is to work for the ministries, for the government or their municipality. « But not Nigeria, no matter where the people come from or their class in society, they want to progress, and contribute to the society, they want to be wealthy and that is very important for the nation. So not only do you have the energy, you have the natural resources and on top of it, you have the size. A country projected to be 400million by 2050, which is even bigger than the whole of Europe, so I think Nigeria has everything going for it and Amadeus is going to keep investing in Nigeria.

He explained that this is the reason the company moved its office to Ikoyi and that it will continue to improve its technology to reward the loyalty of customers and ensure their convenience.

Present at the event were, General Manager for Nigeria and Ghana, Mr Yann Gilbert, President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA), Mr. Bankole Bernand, Managing Director, Aviator Travels, Mrs. Tinuke Nwakohu and Sales and Marketing Manager, Amadeus, Nigeria, Mrs Joke Adeyemi among other.

June 7, 2016
JobNet Africa expands pool of high-potentials to 20,000

Recruitment website JobNet Africa, formerly known as WerkInAfrika, has expanded its services with a job board for highly skilled workers who are looking for jobs across the continent. Following the rebranding and expansion of the trilingual website, the talent pool has increased to 20,000 experts and is ever growing.

“The new name JobNet Africa shows our ambition to search for talent worldwide,” said Inez Willeboordse, the founder of JobNet Africa.

“Our Dutch name just did not cover what we were doing anymore. We have added French as a new working language to our website so we are now fully equipped to search for candidates for jobs in all African countries.”

JobNet Africa has helped finding high-potential workers for multinationals like Shell and IBM but it also focuses on small and medium-sized enterprises in sectors like renewable energy, agriculture and hospitality. “I got nine applicants within one day – and a couple of them were of interest. I have to say I am impressed with the footfall you get on JobNet Africa,” said Abbie Morris, Senior Programmes Manager of ACE Africa in Malawi.

Also Lysanne Denneboom, Managing Director of the Ghana Netherlands Business & the Culture Council in Ghana is one of the managers who experienced working with JobNet Africa. “They have a huge reach and we received a lot of applicants for our vacancy. They surprised us with the interesting profiles,” Denneboom commented.

Willeboordse: “What we see now are just the early stages of online job recruitment in Africa. Most of the lower-paid jobs are still advertised in the traditional way, by publishing them in the newspapers or through family. But the internet has the future and while Africa is getting more and more connected we see huge growth opportunities in the years ahead.”

JobNet’s new website is easy to use. International job seekers can register for free by creating an account and uploading their CV’s. Companies can register to access the database and have the option of posting vacancies. “Unlike most other websites, we are very transparent. There are real people behind the jobs we advertise and we can be contacted by anyone who has a question,” said Willeboordse.

2016 Promises to be a big year for JobNet Africa. Willeboordse: “We are in the middle of the rebranding process and by the end of the year we will have opened a branch office at a new location in South Africa.”

June 7, 2016
FG names Chief Executives for NAN, NTA, FRCN, others

The Federal Government has appointed the Chief Executives of six information-related parastatals under the Ministry of Information and Culture.

The appointments were announced in Abuja on Wednesday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The new Chief Executives are:

1. Mr. Ishaq Modibo Kawu – Director-General, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
2. Mr. Mansur Liman – Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)
3. Mr. Yakubu Mohammed – Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)
4. Dr. Garba Abari, Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA)
5. Mr. Bayo Onanuga – Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
6. Mr. Osita Okechukwu – Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON)

The new appointees are to replace the Chief Executives of the parastatals, who were disengaged on February 15th, 2016

The appointments take immediate effect.

May 25, 2016
Ambode concludes plans for N22.4 billion Oshodi regeneration project

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has concluded plans to commenced construction on the regeneration and development of Oshodi into a world class transport interchange at a cost of over N22.4 billion ($70 million).

The governor who unveiled the plan at a stakeholders meeting held at Ikeja House yesterday said the interchange will be constructed into three world class terminal that will curb haphazard and indiscriminate parking and picking up of passengers by road sides by commercial bus drivers.

Governor Ambode described Oshodi as the busiest transport interchange in West Africa, with over 5,600 buses spread over 13 different motor parks loading daily, adding that the present situation in that corridor does fit into the dream of a growing mega city.

He stated that Oshodi has over 200,000 passengers boarding per day, about one million pedestrians and that 76% of the area is dedicated to transport and related activities, lamenting that the result of this was chaos, illegal markets, high human and vehicular traffic, environmental and sanitation issues and in recent times serious security challenges.

According to him,“we have a solution to the Oshodi menace. The Oshodi Interchange you see today will be replaced by an iconic, world class transportation and commercial hub. That is in keeping with the vision of this government to transform the key city centres of the State to reflect the mega city status of Lagos.

“Many of you would have been aware of the recent demolition of illegal structures and markets in this area. This was not to oppress or deny anybody their livelihood but to start the process of regenerating and recreating Oshodi. Our effort to redevelop Oshodi is aimed at improving the physical structure, security and more importantly creating the 24-hour economy which we promised.

He said the proposed redevelopment of Oshodi axis will consolidate all the 13 City and Interstate parks into 3 multi-storey bus park & terminals situated on 4 floors.

“The first terminal would be constructed at the Mosafejo Market axis and would be for Inter-state transportation, while the second terminal would be erected at the former Owonifari Market, and the third terminal to be built adjacent to NAFDAC and would be for Intra-city transport activities.

He said these terminals would have standard facilities, including waiting area, loading bays, ticketing stands; drivers lounge, parking areas, rest rooms, among others, adding that the development would include accessible walkways and pedestrian bridges/sky-walks to link all the three terminals.

“The development will introduce bus lanes, lay-bys, green parks to soften the environment, proper waste management, fencing and a dedicated security team for Oshodi. When we complete this project, we would have completely rebranded and remodeled Oshodi from a decadent situation to an iconic state. The crime rate in this area will be drastically reduced, if not eliminated.

“In addition, a shopping mall covering over two hectares will be situated in the old Mosafejo settlement. This mall will comprise recreation, entertainment; the new Oshodi bus terminal will be delivered with a Public-Private Partnership, PPP arrangement. This model allows the effective allocation of tasks and risks in the development of the interchange and also ensures that finance can be easily obtained for the project,” he explained.

He said the regeneration of the Oshodi interchange would definitely redefine the economic outlook of the area, as government’s goal was to make every nook and cranny of Lagos economically viable.

Mr. Abiodun Otuola, Managing Director, Translink Capital Development Limited, the developer of the project disclosed that the commencement date for the project would be June 1, 2016 and that the project would be completed within 13 months, adding that the cost of the project is $70 million.

May 24, 2016
Unilever reaffirm commitment to sustainable business in Nigeria

The Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh, has said that the company will continue to step up its capital investment in the country by enhancing its local manufacturing capacity.

Nwarkoh made this known on Wednesday when he led the Management team of the multinational company on a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, at the governor’s office, Oke Mosan in Abeokuta.

According to him, the company which has been operating in the state since the 80s, has concluded plans to expand its business base in the country, albeit the prevailing economic challenges.

He noted that the company is a proudly Nigerian business which has been in the country for over 90 years, and intends to stay for even longer.

His words: “Ogun State is strategic to our business operations. We have been here for a long time and we hope to continue to do business here, add value to the community, to the people and the state at large. We believe in the survival of the community, because the community would drive the survival of any business.

“As a company, we are committed to the growth and development of Nigeria and we will continue to do our best to support the various initiatives of government, while stepping up our capital investment in Nigeria.”

In his response, Governor Amosun, commended the company for their interest in the state, and promised that government would provide all the necessary assistance to the company in their expansion plan, adding that his administration is committed to creating the required conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

He said, “The state has classified Unilever Nigeria as one of our stakeholders, one of the companies we will continue to encourage.

“We will continue to partner with companies that adhere to best practices. We thank you for creating employment opportunities for our people; we look forward to having you as one of our partners during the forthcoming economic summit.”

April 8, 2016