The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Breweries

  • ‘Why we unveiled world’s largest bottle tree’

    ‘Why we unveiled world’s largest bottle tree’

    Setting the mood for the yuletide season, Nigerian Breweries, through its premium brand, Star Lager, has created a consumer-delight atmosphere, with an iconic bottle tree, planted at the Star Beer Village, Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Made from 8,000 bottles, the shimmering blue tree, according to the company’s marketing director, Walter Drenth, was built to showcase the creativity, which abounds in the country.

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    The unveiling of the bottle, Wednesday, was part of the Xmas beautification of the Bar Beach line on Ahmadu Bello Way, in preparation for the annual Lagos Countdown festivities which Star is a major sponsor.

    “We are overwhelmed how our people generally have reacted to this humble idea of a giant Star bottle Christmas tree. It goes on to show that people appreciate creativity and our efforts at adding excitement and joy, for which we are grateful,” said Drenth.

    He noted that the structure, being the first-of-its-kind, is a confirmation of his company’s desire to boost the tourism potential of Nigeria.

    He said: “This feat we have achieved is one that hasn’t been done before and we pride ourselves in the attempt to bring joy and perhaps even break a world record. With this, we have put Nigeria on the world map and made Lagos, a tourist site that it truly is. We hope that Nigerians and Star Lager consumers appreciate it and see reasons to be proud of being citizens of Nigeria.”

    It will be recalled that the initial plan was to spend 3, 000 bottles on the tree and beat the world record of 1,000 beer bottles being held by the Chinese city of Shanghai, but the desire got bigger in the process of construction.

    The 100 Heineken bottle tree in Shanghai
    The 1000 bottle tree in Shanghai

    There are indications that notable set designer, Pat Nebo, built the record-breaking tree.

    Also present at the event were the company’s Corporate Media and Brand PR Manager, Edem Vindah, Marketing Manager Star, Goldberg & Export, Tokunbo Adodo, Brand Manager Star Lager Obabiyi Fagade and comedian Lafup amongst others.

    Photos from the unveiling

  • Nigerian Breweries launches new drink

    Nigerian Breweries launches new drink

    Nigeria’s leading brewer, Nigerian Breweries has announced a brand new drink, ACE ,for its young, vibrant and daring consumers this yuletide season. The trade launch, which held simultaneously in Lagos and Port Harcourt had guests, distributors and key stakeholders in attendance.

    ACE is the first ever sparkling alcoholic drink from Nigerian Breweries and ”Passion Apple Spark”, the first of the ACE series. ACE ”Passion Apple Spark” is made with 5.5% alcohol and natural fruit flavours in a unique 33cl bottle with metallised labels for the bold and daring, which will change their game during that moment of truth.

    The new ACE ”Passion Apple Spark” is a groundbreaking creation from Nigerian Breweries focused on young aspiring and daring youths who want to live the good life within their means.  “This is another major achievement for Nigeria Breweries Plc which has become a leader in innovation with the launch of several consumer focused products over the years. ACE Passion “Apple Spark” is an exciting combination of spirits and natural Apple flavour and can be shared among friends and family at different occasions. We are very excited about ACE because we are changing the game. People can now taste a high quality RTD for a very affordable price and enjoy their moment,” Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries, Mr Walter Drenth commented at the trade launch.

    Other guests present at the event included Regional Business Manager, Moses Ogbodo, Regional Business Manager, Non alcoholic Unit, Anslem Alokha, Yaw, amongst many others.

  • Nigerian Breweries wraps up ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ Campaign

    Nigerian Breweries wraps up ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ Campaign

    The Nigerian Breweries Plc in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps recently held the last of its 2014 ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ rallies in Agege Motor Park. The campaign had earlier held in Makurdi, Onitsha and Port Harcourt as part of its nationwide campaign for responsible consumption of alcohol.

    The Agege rally attracted stakeholders in the transport sector; including members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), officials of the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Customs officials, The Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Army, members of the National Youth Corps, as well as several Non-governmental Organisations.

    Welcoming participants, the Lagos State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Hyginus Omeje, reiterated the importance of driving alcohol-free. “Alcohol and driving do not go together because alcohol causes loss of attention and driving requires a lot of concentration due to the lives at stake”, he said.

    On her part, the Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emete Tonukari explained that the ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ Campaign is an important part of the sustainability journey of Nigerian Breweries Plc tagged Brewing a Better World. “We are here to enlighten drivers on the benefits of observing traffic rules and regulations and also for them not to consume any alcoholic product before driving.” They are to ensure that their vehicles are in good working condition and to rest adequately before embarking on a journey.  Safety is very important to us and we all have to be safety conscious as we ply the roads.

    The guest speaker, Dr. Oluchi Kanma-Okafor educated the participants on the effects of alcohol on driving, adding that for the safety of lives on the roads, drivers must stay free from alcohol while on duty. The Vice Chairman of Agege Motor Park, Alhaji Fatai Alimi and representative of the Comptroller of Customs, Federal Operations, Ikeja, CSC Piyapdat Nicholas also spoke at the rally.

    Other highpoints of the campaign included a drama presentation on the adverse effects of drink driving by members of the National Youth Service Corps. Participants also had a free check on their blood pressure as part of the exercise.

    It would be recalled that Nigerian Breweries signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Road Safety Corps to formalise their terms of engagement on the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign. The campaign which started in 2008 is in its 7th year and has gone round 31 major cities across Nigeria.

  • World Cup brews crisis between NFF, Nigerian Breweries

    World Cup brews crisis between NFF, Nigerian Breweries

    As the FIFA World Cup 2014 kicked off yesterday, a crisis related to the competition is brewing  between the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigerian Breweries Plc over the brewing giant’s alleged ambush marketing, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI

    A projected eight billion viewers across the globe were last night glued to their television sets watching the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The opening match between the host, Brazil, and Croatia, sent the ball rolling. But unknown to many of the viewers in Nigeria, there is a crisis brewing between the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigerian Breweries Plc.  The brewing giant is being accused by the country’s football governing body of engaging in ambush marketing, which according to the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), is a situation where a company ‘arrogates’ the status of official team sponsor to itself in the build-up to and during the World Cup. NFF believes the brewing giant has infringed on FIFA Marketing Law governing the World Cup sponsorship, a charge the company’s spokesperson have queried.

    What really is ambush marketing? The Nation learnt that it usually happens in two ways: by association and by intrusion. FIFA states that when it happens by association, the ambush marketer leads the public into confusion by unduly associating its business with the World Cup. By intrusion, the ambush marketer does not make a suggestion that it is related to the event directly but exposes its trademark and business and invests in publicity during the World Cup. This may take the form of a famous sportswear company that does not sponsor the event displaying its brand on billboards near the stadiums.

    As a result, FIFA jealously guides its key brand assets, such as the FIFA World Cup Trophy and the Official Emblem, which are universally known.

    With six official partners, eight World Cup trademark sponsors and National Supporters, both FIFA and some local football federations are worried over the activities of ambush marketers allegedly benefitting from where they did not sow.

    Last year, the world football’s world governing body took action against 100 ambush marketers ahead of the tournament. The NFF says it will ensure Nigerian Brewery does not reap where Guinness is sowing. According to a letter by the General Secretary of NFF, Musa to Nigerian Breweries, the Federation accused the brewer of launching communication materials which give an impression that it is the official sponsor of the Super Eagles.

    Amadu stated that the campaign materials feature ex-players of the Super Eagles, which give an impression that NBL is the official sponsor of the team.

    “Nigeria Breweries had launched communication materials across Nigeria featuring ex-players of the Super Eagles, giving an impression that you are an official sponsor of the team. We have equally noticed other outdoor materials with un-named faces in green and white jerseys all in an attempt to associate with the Super Eagles’ participation at the FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil and gain undue advantage,” he said.

    The Assistant Director of Communication, NFF, Ademola Olajire, shed more light on the NFF’s position.

    He said: “This time, the Federation has come out against beer-markers, Nigerian Breweries Plc for its deliberate infringement on the right of its sponsors, Guinness Nigeria Plc. We declare that this is nothing but blatant market ambushing and this is not only uncalled for, but highly unprofessional.”

    However, the Federation gave the largest brewer in the country a seven-day ultimatum to remove the materials on billboards, failing which the NFF and the Seni Adetu-led Guinness would take legal action against it and seek appropriate damages.

    But Nigerian Breweries seems to see the whole issue as much ado about nothing. In a text message and phone chat with this reporter,  its Communication Adviser, Kufree Ekanem, and Communications Manager, Edem Vindal, wondered why an issue was being made out of Nigerian Breweries’ communication materials. Vindal said the materials were approved by the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

    He said: “I do not understand the issue of infringement of other people’s right. Besides, the courts are there to protect people’s rights.”

    Ekanem urged The Nation to wait for informed position from the company, which would let the public know the truth.

    Aside the issue of infringing on Guinness’s right, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) is also stepping into an allegation that  Nigerian Breweries had violated advertising code by airing of alcoholic brands at prohibited times. The specific brands, The Nation gathered, were aired in the afternoon, evening and night. The brands, which were aired on Supersports, were tracked by a leading media monitoring agency.

    “The exposed materials included screen flashes with bottle pack, advertising commercial with full pack shots showing bottle, all aired pre-watershed by Nigeria Breweries Plc,” sources told. Many of these materials said to have been aired include Heineken Beer full TV spot with bottle during Champion’s League matches; Star Beer Screen shot of bottle and spot advert during La Liga and Bundesliga matches.

    Vindal said: “Star has for over two seasons now been sponsoring broadcast of La Liga on DSTV.”

    The media went frenzy last year when Guinness breached similar code and it was fined and mandated to withdraw similar materials showing pack with bottle during the EPL in 2013.

    A source within the industry said: “Another fact is that NBL did not comply with APCON directives that no advert on alcoholic beverage should be shown during the day and before 10pm.  Even though NB Plc was given directive to blank out the boards, all the boards in Lagos and pan-Nigeria are still carrying the material (as at press time). As you know, NBL has lots of billboards across Nigeria and they still have these materials that are supposed to have been blanked out.”

    With both cases hanging on NB Plc, industry observers said the brewing giant may have deliberately flouted both NFF and APCON rule because the fine and penalties expected to be paid is nothing compared to how much mileage those two actions will earn their brands market penetration and top-of-the-mind awareness.

    Also, an industry player, who preferred anonymity told The Nation, that “fine and penalties are not communicated to the stakeholders, hence, no one is sure if there are fines and penalties for these numerous and continuous infringement. It is easy for a big player to deliberately ignore the directives/APCON code and comfortably settle the fines.”

    While The Nation gathered from a source in APCON that the council some days ago sat on the case against Nigerian Breweries, Olajire said if the brewing giant failed to obey its directive, the Federation would be forced to institute legal action against it in accordance with FIFA sponsorship law enacted to protect its partners.

    He said the most annoying part of the matter is that since NFF wrote to Nigerian Breweries, there has been no response from the brewer.

    Guinness’ benefits

    The Aminu Maigari-led NFF recently renewed its contract with Guinness for another four years. Guinness’ benefits as a result of its sponsorship of the Super Eagles include declaration of its various drinks, such as Malta Guinness, as the official drinks of the team. Guinness Foreign Extra Stout has been the official sponsor of the Super Eagles for over 7 years. It has created the #flywiththeeagles which will be used across all campaign phases throughout the world cup.

    Guinness has partnered Optima Sport Management International as the official TV broadcast Sponsor and Brilla FM for the 2014 World Cup in Nigeria.

     The brewer has released a video to support them in their world cup campaign. It has also afforded it the right to push out a musical television commercial employing the inspirational sounds of Waje, Bez, Flavour and Ill Bliss calling on Nigerians to cheer on the Eagles. The Eagles will also wear materials promoting the company during the World Cup and billboards and other campaign materials have been launched at strategic points in the country.

     

    What FIFA says

    According to FIFA on its official website, “Due to the enormous cost of staging such a large event, FIFA would not be able to organise the tournament without the significant support of its Commercial Affiliates. They make vital financial contributions to ensure that this privately funded event can be staged. In return for this vital support, FIFA’s rights holders are guaranteed an exclusive association with the competition, especially through the right to use the Official Marks (e.g. the Official Emblem and the Official Mascot) in their promotions and advertising.

     “FIFA’s rights holders will only invest in the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ if they are provided with this exclusivity. If anyone could use the Official Marks for free and create an association with the 2014 FIFA World Cup, there would be no reason to become a rights holder and as a result FIFA would be unable to secure the funding necessary to stage the event. Therefore, FIFA is obliged to act when non-affiliated entities do not respect FIFA’s intellectual property and conduct activities that commercially associate with the 2014 FIFA World Cup.”

    However, a specific law regarding the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil (Law No. 12,663/2012), also called the World Cup Law, provides for measures to keep ambush marketers away from the competition venues. These measures comprise setting restricted areas around the stadiums where it will be forbidden to sell or promote products or services that do not carry the mark of an official sponsor. The law also provides for compensation for losses and damages for unauthorised advertising activities around or related to the event. The same law also provides that FIFA can present a list of marks that will automatically be declared as famous by the Brazilian Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (National Institute of Industrial Property) (INPI).

    A high profile brewer also broke the rule during the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010. A famous Dutch beer company, which did not sponsor the event, hired more than 30 attractive models, dressed them in short, low-necked orange dresses (the company’s colour of choice) and took them to a match between the Netherlands and Denmark. Much attention was afforded the models. The stunt created the idea that the Dutch beer company was in some way related to the event, which diverted attention away from the beer company that was the official sponsor of the Cup.

    In 2013, during the FIFA Confederations Cup, FIFA’s marketing director, Mr. Thierry Weil announced that FIFA handled approximately 100 cases of ambush marketing. In 80 per cent of those cases, the ambush marketers were caught selling small amounts of products depicting FIFA’s marks, such as images of the World Cup trophy.

    What lies ahead?

    The last certainly has not been heard of this matter. With the NFF insisting that the matter will not be swept under the carpet and the Nicholas Vervelde-led Nigerian Breweries seeing nothing special in the allegation against it, the stage seems set for an epic battle. As the next phase of the squabble unfolds, the attention of Nigerians and the world is on Brazil. So, let the matches go on.

  • Nigerian Breweries kicks off Star Trek with fanfare

    NIGERIAN Breweries Plc, organisers of the famous twin music talent hunt shows, Star Quest and Star Trek, flagged off the 2014 edition of the popular Star Trek last week with pomp and pageantry in Lagos, an event, keen observers described as a showstopper of sorts.

    The event, now in its thirteenth year, is unarguably the country’s most popular multi city concerts, through which the brewery giant grooms raw talents across Nigeria.

    Expectedly, the official unveiling of Star Music Trek 2014 was graced by top management staff of Nigerian Breweries, members of the press and a coterie of other guests from brand loyalists, members of the diplomatic corps, to mention just a few.

    Justifying the brand’s commitment to the talent hunt initiative thus far, Corporate Media and Brand PR Manager, Nigerian Breweries, Edem Vindah, said the brand recognises how powerful music is, as such always strives to ensure that it positively promotes the strong values the brand is well known for using the medium.

    “Over the years, Star Music Trek has evolved rapidly with exciting facets to appeal to its ever-burgeoning youth market. This year, we chose an exciting theme, ‘My City Rocks’, reflective of the great diversity within the country and the fascinating things that make each city unique and endear them to young Nigerians,” he said.

    Expatiating, he said: “The impressive response has been gratifying; it’s inspiring to know that young Nigerians are so in tune with their cities and are willing to proudly represent them any way they can.

    “This year, we’re even more inspired by our theme My City Rocks as we tour areas within the country that this immensely popular music platform has never visited before. It is a significant opportunity to once again connect with our fans and we look forward to It.” he added.

    Corporate players and celebrities, including: Chief Marketing Officer MTN, Larry Anetts, Olisa Adibua, Bolanle Okhiria, Toni Kan, Tee-Y Mix, Gbemi, Olori Supergal, Peju Akande, D’Tunes, Tunde Ednut, Uti Nwachukwu and a host of others gave the event a touch of panache.

    The highpoint of the occasion was command performance by A-list artistes across the genres who invited to the podium to append their signature and take bows before hundreds of fans. At the roll-call was 2face, Tiwa Savage, M.I, Olamide, Davido, Wizkid and Wande Coal, Sound Sultan, Pasuma, Mr. Raw, Dr Sid, Naeto C, KCee, Sean Tizzle, Phyno, May D and a few others.

    The pan Nigerian concert, which has been in existence since early 90’s, has become the country’s most anticipated yearly music festival with Nigeria’s biggest artistes offering exciting performances every year to the delight of thousands of fans across the country.

    With several years of consistently delivering on its platform the brand has been able to reach millions of young Nigerians all across the country, furthering reaffirming its brand values and successfully dictating the pace of music entertainment. Among other cities, the Trek 2014 will perform in Nsukka, Makurdi, Onitsha, Benin and Ado Ekiti.

    Since 2006, the combined power of Star Quest, Star Trek and Star Mega Jam has placed Star’s promotional strategy ahead of its advertising and media marketing campaign. Consequently, its advertising platform took a cue from the promotional efforts and developed the concept of “Music in Every Bottle” against the peculiar background of live entertainment. Star Lager’s brand managers and marketing communications gurus should be hard at prayers and strategy meetings to push the fortunes of its brand ambassador bands. Having found an exciting promotional direction for the brand, it behooves them to keep up the momentum or Star Quest will lose its shine. The other option, of course, is to drop the quest as a dream unattainable.

    A cursory look at the entertainment industry reveals that some of today’s biggest music stars have passed through the Star platform at one point or the other. Previous winners like the Star Quest co-winner KCEE, finalist Mr. Raw, finalist Klint De Drunk, contestant Asa, and many others, are today making waves in the industry.

  • Nigerian Breweries makes debut with new talent show

    Nigerian Breweries makes debut with new talent show

    After resting Star Quest, a band-inclined music talent show two years ago, Nigerian Breweries’ plan to replace the show, which lasted for 10 years, came to fruition yesterday, when the beverage company announced the birth of Star The Winner Is.

    This is perhaps the first time the organisers would be acquiring a franchise for a reality show. Their flagship, Gulder Ultimate Search, like several others, is a local content show, manned by professionals in Nigeria.

    The Winner Is is an American vocal game show which premiered on June 10, 2013, airing on NBC. Hosted by Nick Lachey, the seven-episode series features singers of all ages who compete for a chance to win $1,000,000. The show airs currently across the world including the UAE, China, Germany, Italy Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

    In Nigeria, the show which seeks superstars out of talented Nigerians, is being bankrolled by Star beer, staking N10 million and a brand new car on the would-be winner.

    The Star brand is noted for major music shows in Nigeria such as Star Quest, Star Mega Jam and the ongoing nationwide music road-show, Star Music Trek.

    Promoters of the show say Star The Winner Is is totally different from other popular music reality shows, because it combines elements of music and game.

    According to Tokunbo Adodo, Marketing Manager Star, Goldberg and Export, NB Plc., “Nigeria is filled with incredible singers and Star is proud to be associated with a global platform such as The Winner Is to bring the dreams of talented Nigerians to being, making them outstanding winners”.

    Adodo noted that, “apart from being a music talent show, Star The Winner Is, will have an unusual twist to it, where contestants can negotiate with opponents whether to get out of the contest by walking away with a smaller sum of money or await the result of the jury to see if they proceed in the competition with a chance to win the grand prize of 10 million naira and a car.”

    The show is billed to kick off this April, with auditions in five Nigerian cities, including Benin, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos.

    Adodo said contestants will be judged by 101 in- studio panel of music enthusiasts and specialists and will have the chance to negotiate a deal before hearing their fate.

    Although details of audition dates and venues are yet to be announced, they will be made available on the Star brand website and other communication materials, say organisers.

    The rested Star Quest, has produced notable Nigerian entertainment stars like KCEE, Klint D’Drunk, Mr Raw, and has helped to kick start the careers of the likes of Presh, Psquare, Asa, and DJ Switch.

  • Firm wins award

    Firm wins award

    Nigerian Breweries Plc has honoured a provider of modernised fleet management solution, Joza Global Logistics, at its Customer Forum and key transporters category Award Nite.

    Joza won the Overall Best Transporter Nationally in the year.

    NB Managing Director Nicholas Vervelde led other top management staff to present the award to Joza’s Managing Director Usiakpor Emmanuel.

    Vervelde thanked NB’s customers and other stakeholders for keeping them atop with their various brands as premium market leaders.

    He promised to continue rewarding outstanding customers.

    Joza, who also picked the same award in 2012, has over 1,000 employees.

    The firm has fleet of over 400 units of various trucks ranging from Man diesel, Howo, Foton, Daf trucks, noted as the number one in fleets income earning.

  • Poverty no excuse for failure, pupils told

    Poverty no excuse for failure, pupils told

    With an education, determination and a love for books, even pupils from underprivileged backgrounds can get to any height of career achievement.

    That was one of the vital lessons pupils of Eric Moore Senior High School, Surulere, Lagos learnt when ‘Beyond the School’, a career counselling initiative of the Nigerian Breweries Plc, passed through their school.

    Poverty, they were told by the project’s coordinator, Mrs. Clementine Vervelde, was no reason not to excel in life.

    It was her response to a question from one of them, who wanted to know how a young person whose socio-economic background limits the availability of funds for food, clothing and other life’s essentials could choose a good career.

    Telling her life’s story, the SS1-SS3 pupils learnt how a poor Rwandan girl was able to grow into a professional who could speak five languages because of her ability to dream and read.

    She said their access to education was already a foundation on which they could build successful careers, urging them to add imagination and determination to it.

    “You have to believe in yourself and dream big. The fact that you are already in school is a first step that you are capable to achieve anything. In Africa, we always use poverty as an excuse for our situation, but we know of great people who, despite their poverty, were able to achieve great things.

    “When a child is born, he or she does not have a choice of a mother or father. But that child has a right to education. I was born in a small village in Rwanda, but even as a little girl I dreamt. My first dream was to see children in Africa believe in themselves and be able to change the world,” she said.

    She also told them her secret to success was through books she read from an early age. She said the ‘Beyond the School’ initiative was initiated to address the poor reading culture of Africans through book donations to schools so that pupils from any background can read and be serious about excelling right from their youth.

    Mrs Vervelde said: “The challenge we have in Africa is reading. Through this initiative, we also give books to schools. But as students, you must also play your role. Instead of fighting on the streets, get together with your peers, interact and share information. You have to love yourself and feel you are good enough. Each of us has our unique quality so explore it.”

    To succeed in their careers, Mrs Vervelde counselled the pupils to choose careers because of fulfilment, and not just to make money. She also advised them to choose subjects that are relevant to their careers and ensure they have interest in them.

    “Career decision making for students like you is important because at this stage, you are developing and the choices you make may drastically affect not only you but your family and friends,” She added.

    Speaking at event, the Corporate Affairs Adviser, NB Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem said the ‘Beyond the School’ is gaining ground because of its impact on pupils in the schools visited so far.

    “We have come to show the students what they need to do to realise their dreams. This is the fifth school under this project and this is because of the feedback and positive response the programme has received so far. This is part of the NB winning with Nigeria vision. We have also built and renovated facilities in schools and we are committed to giving students the right guidance they need to succeed in life,” he said.

    From Eric Moore, the NB Plc train moved to impact pupils of another school, Igbobi College, this time, through the renovation of their senior block.

     

     

    The two-storey classroom block in question was the first to be built in the school in —–.

    The rehabilitation was done in collaboration with the 1974-1976 set of the Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA).

    Speaking at the inauguration, the Managing Director, Mr. Nico Vervelde, represented by the Human Resource Director and an old boy of the school, Mr. Victor Famuyibo, said the renovation was undertaken through the NB/ Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund (ETF) and included the refurbishment of classrooms and library, replacement of roof, floors, doors, windows and donation of books.

     

  • Bola Akingbade enjoys life in retirement

    Bola Akingbade enjoys life in retirement

    BOLA Akingbade is sure a gold fish who has no hiding place, especially in the corporate world. He is known to have done many progressive jobs for different corporate entities. His last point of call was the telecommunication giant, MTN, where he held sway as chief marketing officer sitting on an annual budget of two billion naira. After eight years of eventful service, he retired. Earlier, he had worked with the Nigerian Breweries.

    One year after retiring, the seasoned marketing strategist is still glittering. Sources say he is into private consulting. But the hardworking man still finds time to socialise with his ilk. Recently, he was at the launch of media mogul Mo Abudu’s multi-broadcast network

  • 12 finalists for art contest

    Twelve finalists have emerged for this year’s Nigerian Breweries (NP) Plc and African Artists Foundation (AAF) organised National Art Competition. They are Karimah Ashadu, Alayande Ayanwale, Chidinma Nnorom Chinke, Mary Edoga Chioma, Brigitte Sésu Tilley-Gyado and Taiye Idahor. Others are Erasmus Onyishi, Olanrewaju Tejuoso, Felicia Okpara Tochukwu, Victoria Udondian, the duo of Chuka Ejorh and Olamide Udo-Udoma, as well as the duo of Halima Abubakar and Zemaye Okediji.

    According to the Curator of African Artists Foundation, Joseph Gergel over 100 entries were received from the six geo-political zones from which 26 names were shortlisted. He said of these, emerged the final twelve after screening from Prof El Anatsui led selection committee.

    “For us, the criteria were how the artist was able to interprete the theme, IDENTITY: Who Do You Think You Are in a very original way. We encourge the artist to think intellectually about what their message content is,” he said.

    The finalists were engaged in a retreat, which commenced on July 29 till last Friday at Nimbus Art Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos, where they had the opportunity to exchange ideas with each other and participate in workshops facilitated by leading artists, scholars, and practitioners in their fields.

    After the retreat, finalists are expected to spend four months to execute their final project.

    Workshop facilitators and artist mentors at the retreat included Olu Amoda, Uche Okpa-Iroha, Jelili Atiku, Delphine Fawundu, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Robin Hammond, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, Joseph Gergel, Orlando Reade, Nick Hagen, Roger Woodbridge and Richard Eko.

    This year’s competition experienced unprecedented number of strong and conceptually impressive entries, which proposed a variety of artistic practices in response to the theme IDENTITY: Who Do You Think You Are?

    The theme explores how artists view the relationship between individual and collective identity in Nigeria today and examines the role of art as a vehicle for social change. The ongoing debate in Nigeria about the value and function of our national identity is persistent: do we identify ourselves with our state of origin, or do we accept the communities in which we reside, embracing them as our home? What are our anxieties about our perceived status in society and how has globalisation and social media boosted or influenced this status? These and other ideas addressing personal identity will be explored in the National Art Competition 2013 through the development of the 12 finalists’ projects.

    The competition aims to promote the development of contemporary African art and raise awareness on social issues through the use of creative artistic expression.