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Tag: partner

  • SEC, body partner on capital market studies

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Association of Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (ACMAN) have entered into collaboration to develop a curriculum for the Nigerian Capital Market Institute, NCMI.

    The curriculum would enable the commission and the association to set the required benchmark that would be adopted by the National Universities Commission in the accreditation of capital market studies in tertiary institutions.

    The partnership is the highpoint of a meeting between the association led by its Interim President, Prof Uche Uwaleke, and the Commission led by the Acting Director-General, Ms.Mary Uduk.

    Ms. Uduk said the commission would work with the association to improve the standards in the NCMI, saying “working with this academic body is vital to moving the capital market forward.

    “Research that comes out of the university must be actionable and should help boost the growth and development of the capital market.

    “We will partner with you to develop curriculum for the Nigeria Capital Market Institute given where we want to take NCMI to.

    “This association will make our job a lot easier. We appreciate your coming and we will work together to leverage on your expertise to develop the capital market.”

    In his remarks, Uwaleke said the idea behind the association is to advance the frontier of capital market research and promote capital market issues in the tertiary institutions.

    He said being the apex regulator of the capital market, there is need for the association to collaborate with the commission to set standard for capital market programme.

  • 7 phone cheating signs to look out for in your partner

    When you feel you are the victim of unfaithfulness or something is amiss in your relationship, it is time to pay more attention to the phone behaviours of your partner.

    Though, signs of cheating are different in every relationship but there are common threads you can look for.

    These are seven secretive phone use behaviours of cheaters suggesting something is wrong. Cheaters tend to use their phones more frequently than before and to guard them as if their lives depend on it.

    •  If he/she used to leave his/her phone out on the table for hours, or if he/she was the type of person who would leave the house and forget his/her phone all the time, but suddenly he/she and his/her phone are inseparable then something may be up.
    • If he/she never leaves his phone out anymore, panics when he/she can’t find his phone and doesn’t check his/her texts around you or just acts every shady around his/her phone, then you may have reason to worry.
    • If he/she suddenly put a password on his phone but never cared for privacy before, then something may be up.

    READ ALSO: Man kills wife for cheating on him

    • If he/she steps out to take a phone call and comes back looking either upset, excited or apologetic, you may start to wonder who’s on the other line.
    • If you walk in when he’s/she’s on the phone and he/she abruptly ends the conversation, then he/she may be talking to another woman/man.
    • If he/she used to be diligent about answering his/her phone but you can go hours without getting in touch with him/her, then he/she may be spending that time with another woman/man.
    •   If he/she shuts off his phone for hours and he/she never used to do that, it is not a good sign.

    Follow us and learn other cheaters behaviour soon

  • FirstBank, Azuri Technologies partner

    First Bank of Nigeria Limited and Azuri Technologies, a leader in pay-as-you-go solar technology, have announced a partnership that will help deepen financial inclusion in Nigeria while bringing affordable, reliable and clean power to millions of Nigerians.

    Under the partnership, Azuri’s solar home TV product will be co-branded and co-marketed by FirstBank and Azuri. Pay-as-you-go customers will be able to pay for their solar via FirstBank’s Firstmonie agent network and mobile payment solution. Firstmonie agents are positioned within rural and semi-urban locations across the country and provide basic financial services such as account opening, cash deposit, cash withdrawals and bill payments.

    More than 60 million of Nigeria’s roughly 200 million people do not have bank accounts and as little as six per cent of people have a mobile money account.

    Speaking on the partnership, Azuri CEO Simon Bransfield-Garth and FirstBank CEO Adesola Adeduntan stated the partnership was a positive step in providing much needed energy and enabling access to financial services in rural, low-income areas.

    “This partnership combines the reach of FirstBank with Azuri’s technology and pay-as-you-go solar expertise to bring next generation power to off-grid consumers in Nigeria” said Azuri CEO, Simon Bransfield-Garth.

    “Azuri and FirstBank share the vision of a level playing field where all consumers have the ability to benefit from modern financial and digital services, regardless of where they live and this agreement is another step in making that vision a reality.”

    According to FirstBank CEO, Adesola Adeduntan, “Financial inclusion is a priority with FirstBank and we are excited that with this partnership, our customers are able to access a wide range of services that address real problems such as access to power. With our over 16,000 Firstmonie Agents spread across the length and breadth of Nigeria, our customers are at an advantage in enjoying seamless financial services from the Bank that puts them first.”

  • Facebook to partner Nigeria to battle fake news

    MINISTER of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said the National Campaign Against Fake News has received a boost from the social networking platform, Facebook, which plans to partner with the Federal Government to check the menace.

    The minister announced the planned cooperation in Abuja yesterday, when he visited Daar Communications, owners of AIT and Raypower, in furtherance of the campaign.

    He said the national campaign, which was launched on July 11, 2018, has succeeded in bringing the phenomenon to the front burner of national discourse.

    Mohammed said: “We are not under any illusion that our campaign will immediately end the menace of fake news. But we know that by creating national awareness, we are putting the issue of fake news on the front burner.

    “Fake news is now a subject of national discourse, workshops and conferences. In the coming days, the social networking web platform, Facebook, will be meeting with us and other top policy-makers across the country in the days ahead to see how to assist us in fighting fake news. That, to us, is a major step forward, and we thank all our partners, and indeed all Nigerians, for this achievement,” the minister said.

    Mohammed, who described fake news as a global phenomenon, said different countries are adopting various measures to tackle the menace, but said Nigeria has decided to appeal to the sense of responsibility of media practitioners, bloggers and Social Media Influencers,  instead of engaging in coercion or censorship.

    He said if left unchecked, fake news has the capacity to disrupt the peace and unity of the country and it’s also a clear and present danger to the nation’s democracy.

  • UK, Nigeria partner to strengthen Nigerian capital market

    Nigeria has become the first capital market to benefit from United Kingdom’s (UK’s) initiative aimed at strengthening the African capital market by unlocking opportunities and building investor’s confidence through improved regulations and compliance with international standards.

    Under the programme, FSD Africa, a UK Aid funded non-profit company, will, over a three-year period, provide funding to build  capital market regulators’ capacity across the continent, providing world-class technical assistance, encouraging closer collaboration among regulators and conducting research to support the development of new policies and regulations.

    Through the programme, FSD Africa will assist Nigeria’s apex capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in several ways, including funding an institutional capacity audit to identify strengths and areas of improvement in SEC’s operations as well as provide support to implement recommendations.

    Also, FSD Africa will help in promoting fintech regulation as well as play a role in encouraging greater collaboration and knowledge management sharing with other African capital market regulators.

    As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria represents a natural starting point for this new programme. The programme will also be implemented in Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

    The cooperation agreement between SEC and FSD Africa was signed in Lagos at a ceremony, which included British Deputy High Commissioner, Laure Beaufils; Acting Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mary Uduk  and Director, FSD Africa, Mark Napier.

    According to Beaufils, capital markets have an essential role to play to help unlock capital that can be invested in the real economy and that can contribute to job creation and inclusive growth.

    “It is a testament to the importance we attach to this issue and to our commitment to deepen and broaden our trade and investment relationship with Nigeria. I very much look forward to working with the SEC on this in the future,” Beaufils said.

    Uduk said the cooperation with FSD Africa holds tremendous potential as the various programmes will complement efforts to enhance capacity and further strengthen SEC’s ability to regulate the capital market.

    “This collaboration will no doubt contribute to the continued development of our market by facilitating access to capital by both the private and public sectors and enhance the competitiveness of the Nigerian capital market as a global investment destination,” Uduk said.

    Napier noted that well-functioning capital markets can play a vital role in support of inclusive economic growth by channeling long term finance into infrastructure and other large-scale projects that create jobs and improve access to markets.

    “Strengthening regulatory capacity in capital markets is an essential pre-condition for building investor confidence,” Napier said.

     

  • Wema Bank, AIICO partner on access to retail Insurance

    Wema Bank Plc will be partnering with AIICO Insurance Plc to increase access to retail insurance products using the lender’s network.

    The formalisation of the partnership followed its endorsement by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Following the increase in uptake of retail insurance products and services across the country, the Head, Retail & SME of Wema Bank, Dotun Ifebogun said the bank was delighted with the partnership, noting that through it, Wema Bank will be able to refer customers in need of any form of insurance to AIICO through it wide branch network and digital platforms.

    This is a strategic move to position the bank as a one-stop shop with a bouquet of products and services that meet a variety of needs.

    Both organisations have a legacy of trust and resilience that has won the loyalty of customers over decades. Reacting to the development, AIICO Insurance Technical Executive Director, Adewale Kadri said it was another move by AIICO to demonstrate its commitment to increase awareness and deepen access to retail insurance products in Nigeria. The public can now access AIICO’s bouquet of retail products through Wema Bank’s digital channels.

  • ICPC to partner INEC to curb vote-buying

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has expressed readiness to partner Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to tackle the menace of vote-buying in the electoral system.

    Acting Chairman of ICPC, Mr Musa Abubakar, made this known when he visited INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday in Abuja.

    Abubakar said that ICPC identified with INEC and Nigerians on the issue of vote-buying and was willing to work with the election management body to curb the ugly trend.

    He said that the commission was empowered to deal with all cases of corruption, including those committed during elections.

    “The ICPC is empowered to investigate and prosecute any person involved in any act of bribery and corruption under any laws that prohibit corruption.

    “I believe the Electoral Act also has provisions that deal with corruption and all forms of malpractices during election.

    “So, vote-buying is one of the corrupt practices under both our law and Electoral Act.

    “The main reason for this visit is to identify with the commission and the general public on the issue of vote-buying.

    “We assure you that the ICPC is ever ready to partner INEC to ensure that this trend is totally eliminated or reduced to the barest minimum,’’ he said.

    Responding, Yakubu commended ICPC for its commitment to partner INEC to tackle “this new brand of electoral crime’’.

    He said that the commission was prepared to ensure that vote-buying did not determine the outcome of 2019 general elections.

    “The votes cast by citizens will continue to determine who wins in our elections. We are focusing more on the processes leading to that outcome.

    “The outcome of any election is in the hand of the voter, but we are responsible for ensuring that the process is free and credible,’’ he said.

    Yakubu also said that in addition to partnering with ICPC and EFCC, INEC was taking measures at ensuring that votes were not bought particularly on election days.

    He said that the commission intended to ban the use of mobile phone at the voting centres.

    “We will restructure our polling units in such a way that it will be difficult for a voter to expose the marked ballot papers before dropping them into ballot boxes.

    “In doing so, the commission will need the collaboration of the citizens to report any cases of electoral violation through the commission’s Situation Room and free toll line – INEC Citizens Contact Centre (ICCC).

    “I will like to speak to the citizens that whenever they see violations of Electoral Act to quickly report to these, using our toll free number under our ICCC platform so that we can quickly respond.’’

    On Osun governorship election, Yakubu said that INEC was setting up an inter-agency collaborative framework against vote-buying and spending above what the Electoral Act stipulated for campaign.

    “As you are aware, under the law there is spending limits for party and candidate to participate in an election.

    “This inter-agency framework will include the cooperation and active participation of EFCC, ICPC and the security agencies, particularly the police and Department of State Services and the National Intelligent Agency.

    “Soon after Osun election, the commission will unveil that framework for the collaboration aimed at further sanitising our election

  • Facebook, Afrinolly partner top creatives on ‘Naija Storybuilders Bootcamp’

    FACEBOOK and Nigeria’s Afrinolly have announced the launch of ‘Naija Storybuilders Bootcamp’, in partnership with critically acclaimed writer/producers, Dayna Lynne North & Amy Aniobi from the groundbreaking US HBO series INSECURE.

    The collaboration follows a successful Facebook for creators’ training programme in Nigeria.

    Aimed at empowering creative communities across Nigeria and providing expert mentorship and advice, this week-long intensive workshop is designed for up and coming storytellers who are focused on developing short-form content for digital platforms.

    Led by Dayna Lynne North and Amy Aniobi, the programme will take 20 aspiring local storytellers and explore tailored topics such as creating compelling characters, grabbing and keeping your audience, practical first steps to creating your project, as well as best practices on how to create and promote content on digital platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

    Sherry Dzinoreva, Policy Programmes Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa at Facebook said: “We’re thrilled and honoured to be able to  work with Afrinolly, Dayna and Amy to bring this special one-off workshop to Lagos. As leaders in their creative fields, they have a wealth of experience to offer ambitious Nigerian storytellers. At Facebook, our goal is to continue to support and invest in diverse creative talent, not just in Nigeria, but across the continent and this is just another step in highlighting our commitment.”

    Once chosen, 20 selected participants will also receive support to build their projects after the bootcamp, with three-weeks of free office space and mentorship from Afrinolly’s team of screenwriters.

    Open to candidates from 18 years plus, interested attendees must be based in Nigeria, and have a script or piece of content currently in development.

    Commenting on the partnership and Naija Storybuilders Bootcamp Dayna Lynne North and Amy Aniobi said: “We are thrilled at the opportunity Facebook is providing! Nigeria is an exciting country, full of amazing creatives, talents and visionaries. For one of us, this is a chance to go back home to our roots and share the knowledge and experiences we’ve gained over the years; for the other, it’s an incredible opportunity to mentor the next generation. We are both passionate to meet the Naija Storybuilders and get started.”

    The Naija Storybuilders Bootcamp’ programme is set take place in Lagos from Monday 15th – Friday 19th October 2018, and will be free for selected participants.

    According to Chike Maduegbuna, CEO, Afrinolly: “The Naija Storybuilders Bootcamp is a further step in our partnership with Facebook. Having Dayna and Amy as central to this, and here in Lagos, is a great opportunity for the chosen 20. I look forward to seeing how they progress in their storytelling journeys.”

  • 10 signs to know you and your partner are a great match (2)

    Continued from last week

    1. You Have Regular Sex. If the honeymoon phase has come and gone and the two of you still maintain a consistently hot-and-heavy romp schedule, you’re on the road to relationship bliss. In fact, a study published in the journal Society for Personality and Social Psychology found that having sex at least once a week brings as much happiness to your relationship as making an extra $50,000. For this study, researchers surveyed more than 30,000 Americans over four decades, and found that having sex just once a week was the frequency most linked to relationship happiness. Surprisingly, couples who had sex more or less frequently were not happier. “Intimacy is just another type of communication, so if that communication falters, so will your sexual connection in response,” says Tessina. That being said, your sexual chemistry is not a race to the sack. “If you’re mutually enjoying more sex, than it will make you both happier, but remember that it comes down to both people wanting to be intimate that often,” says Greer.
    2. You’re Similar

    You know the old saying, “opposites attract”? Well, if you happen to have a lot in common with your partner, it may be a better recipe for attraction. In fact, a brand-new study by researchers from Wellesley College and the University of Kansas found that we’re actually hard-wired to desire “like-minded others.” They were able to reach this conclusion by analyzing pairs or people—from romantic couples to friends and even mere acquaintances—interacting in public. The pairs were asked questions about attitude, values, and prejudice, among other things, and it was found that the longer-term relationship pairs had greater similarities than those who had recently become acquainted. “If you’re more alike in terms of your personalities, you’re sharing similar styles of dealing with a variety of things in life—from interacting with friends to experiencing life changes,” says Greer. “So if you and your partner share similar values and interests, you’ll wind up with more cooperative spirits and having a greater respect for one another.”

    1. Your Spending Habits Differ

    You’re certainly not alone if you find that the majority of the arguments you have as a couple are sparked by personal (or combined) finances. In fact, a Money Magazine poll found that a whopping 70 percent of couples argue about finances the most—more than household chores, togetherness, sex, snoring, and so on. But if the two of you have stark differences in the way in which you prefer to spend—a.k.a. one of you is a spendthrift and the other is a tightwad (yes, that’s an actual term)—you just might be perfect for each other. The proof is in one study by the Universities of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Northwestern. Researchers surveyed over 1,000 married and unmarried couples, and found that most individuals tend to choose their spending opposite when it comes to selecting a lifelong partner. So if that sounds like you and yours, you just may have the perfect yin-and-yang combo to make things work. “Just remember to prioritize the big-spending opportunities like buying a car, house, etc,” reminds Greer.

    1. You Laugh at the Same Jokes

    If you and your sweetie both know how to appreciate a raunchy comedy routine (Eddie Murphy Raw, anyone?), love anything with Will Ferrell, or both equally detest either of those two scenarios, you’re a match made in heaven, says science. A study published in the Western Journal of Communication found that 75 percent of happy couples laugh together at least once a day. Even more interesting, another study reported in the same journal found that 92 percent of married men and women credited humor as a factor that made a significant contribution to their married life. “Laughing at and appreciating the same comedy is the emotional oil to grease the wheels of a relationship to keep it moving forward,” says Greer. “It gives each of you the resilience you need to laugh off the petty and irrelevant things that naturally build up in life and offers more chances to bond intimately on a regular basis.”

    1. You both love to booze it up or not at all

    We’ve all seen it at one point in our lives—the couple scenario where one person is totally sober and the other is a giant, falling-all-over-the-place mess. There’s a good reason why those unmatched levels of drunkenness or sobriety don’t wind up working out in the end. In a study published in the journal of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, scientists reviewed data collected from nearly 20,000 married couples, and found that the spouses who consumed relatively the same amount of alcohol were less likely to divorce than pairs where one person drank more heavily or significantly lighter than the other spouse. “I’ve seen many couples split when one of the pair of drinkers got sober,” says Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D., a licensed psychotherapist and author of Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage. “Alcohol alters a heavy drinker’s experiences and perceptions, so couples who drink heavily together naturally have similar ways of living, as do couples who don’t drink much at all.”

    https://www.womenshealthmag.com

     

    Concluded

     

  • Ondo to partner Lagos on rice production

    The Ondo State government has said it will partner its Lagos State counterpart on rice production.

    Commissioner for Agriculture Adegboyega Adefarati, said this while inspecting Fadama III Additional Financing projects in Akure North Local Government Area.

    Adefarati said the state government had secured over 4,000 hectares of land in Ogbese, Okitipupa, Ese-Odo and Ilaje for rice production.

    “The Lagos State government, as it is doing with Kebbi State, is coming to Ondo State to partner with us on rice production,” he said.

    The commissioner said a Fadama-sponsored rice factory would produce the state’s branded rice.

    Inspecting the installation of the 14-tonne per day rice mill funded by the Fadama project at Ogbese, Adefarati said farmers got necessary support due to government’s intervention through prompt payment of counterpart contribution.

    Adefarati, who also visited the 20-hectare cassava farm of Iju-Ifedapo cluster in Akure North Local Government Area, urged farmers to continue to support the administration to enjoy more dividends of good governance.

    The commissioner assured farmers that the state government would soon enact enabling laws that would prevent incessant farmers-herders conflict in the state.

    The Chairman of the Production Cluster at Ogbese, Mr Ajewole Ajisafe, attributed the success recorded in farm operation to the peaceful and harmonious relationship between farmers and herdsmen.

    Ajisafe said herdsmen in the community had been operating without conflicts, adding that this had been the recipe for mutual relationship