The Nation Newspaper

Tag: partner

  • Ecobank, Africa SME Champions partner

    The Ecobank Group and the Africa SME Champions Forum have partnered other co-organisers like the African Guarantee Fund and AfricSearch to ensure a successful hosting of over 300 Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in Dakar, Senegal.

    The meeting was an avenue for over 300 ambitious SME companies in Africa who are interested in growing their businesses.

    The forum which the bank said creates an opportunity to identify Africa’s next great success stories, is the first direct access platform to finance for the SMEs. It is also providing them the opportunities to enjoy master classes, customised consultancy service that brings together high-quality experts and a mentoring programme.

    According to the organisers, the idea of the SME forum is to bring together at a single location an entire range of tools, networks and services dedicated to SMEs to allow them to put in place, on their return, the methods shared by the community of the Africa SME Champions Forum.

    Deputy Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria Tony Okpanachi said the inaccessibility of finance is a major obstacle to small business growth and development, with only 20 per cent of African SMEs receiving a credit line from financial institutions.

    He emphasised that “this forum aims to assist viable SMEs by providing them opportunity for easy financing. The partnership reaffirms Ecobank’s commitment to support small and medium-sized businesses and further enable the SME sector play a critical role in the socio-economic development of Africa.

  • SMEDAN, NSE partner on MSMEs’ data

    SMEDAN, NSE partner on MSMEs’ data

    The Small and Medium Enterprises Agency of Nigeria  (SMEDAN) in partnership with Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) is embarking on providing data on existing Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

    The Director-General SMEDAN,  Bature Masari who spoke during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SMEDAN and NSE in Abuja,  said the two organisations will work towards providing data on potential entrepreneurs.

    He said: “We hope to advocate and create awareness within the MSMEs sub-sector on the need to imbibe the culture of patronising Nigerian made products and the inclusion of local content in production and services.

    “The joint role of the parties are to design implement and execute a robust and effective system.  It will ensure substitution of imported products suchbas imported processed food and drinks, with indigenous alternatives;

    “Establish a benchmark for technology needs for MSMEs, to also provide guidelines for technology assessment.  We will also seek for alternative funding outside budgetary allocation, as we appoint coordinating officers for the programme and work with organisations deemed necessary for the attainment of the objeccive.”

    NSE President, Ademola Olorunfemi said both parties will jointly design an implementation strategy,  action plan for the implementation of this MoU.

    The parties shall hold consultation on all matters of common interest,  both parties shall consider the appropriate framework for such consultation as at when necessary. The parties shall organise a joint forum to create awareness of programme.

  • FirstBank, MoneyGram partner

    FirstBank, MoneyGram partner

    First Bank of Nigeria Limited (First Bank) and MoneyGram International have announced the launch of outbound remittance service in Nigeria.

    In a stateet, the lender said since money transfers began in 1998, consumers in the country have only been able to receive funds via MoneyGram’s money transfer services. It said the launch therefore represents a significant milestone because it enables customers to send funds to family and friends around the globe in naira which can then be picked up in the currency of the receiving country where available.

    FirstBank is one of the first MoneyGram agents to offer this service in the country. With the launch, customers would be able to use MoneyGram’s new outbound service offering through the bank’s branches.

    Its Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Bisi Onasanya said the bank remains committed to delivering excellent customer experience to customers.

    He said the lender delivers excellent financial solutions and is proud to offer yet another excellent customer focused solution – the MoneyGram outbound service – to the Nigerian market.

    “As a brand, we remain committed to putting our customers first,” he said.

  • Bank, local govt partner on levy collection

    Bank, local govt partner on levy collection

    Skye Bank Plc has launched an electronic point of payment solution expected to enhance more revenue for development for Ikorodu North Local Council Development Authority.

    The solution is coming on the heels of dwindling allocations to all tiers of government in the country.

    Unveiling the solution at Ikorodu, the Group Head, Revenue Collection and Franchise, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs. Bola Allison, said the product will check leakages and corruption in the collection process.

    The product known as point of payment (PoP) solution, ensures that the citizens pay their taxes, levies and other statutory payments through customised point of payment terminals which are administered by the council staff.

    Allison said the solution would make payment convenient as eligible tax and levy payers would not have to leave their shops or go to the banks to effect payment. She said tax payer would be protected as the PoP system generates receipts as evidence of payment.

    Skye Bank, she said, was partnering with Citiserve and GEMS3 to ensure the success of the new solution.

    The Executive Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, Prince Adeola Jokomba, urged the people of the area to embrace the new initiative as it would check revenue diversion and ensures the council would have more money to undertake more developmental programmes.

  • Firm to partner govt on housing

    A firm, Saniif Property Nigeria Ltd, is to partner Kogi State government in the building of housing estates for its workforce.

    The marketing manager of the firm, Mr. Abdulrahman Dansebe, who spoke yesterday in Lokoja, said the firm decided to partner government because it could not meet the housing needs of the people without support from the private sector.

    He said: “The management of the firm has studied the transformation agenda of the Wada administration and the bill on Public Private Partnership (PPP) signed into law by the governor, which has allowed the private sector to work with the government in achieving its objective of providing the dividends of democracy to the people.”

    Dansebe said the firm’s management workers have met officials from the Ministry of Land to decide where the estate would be located.

  • BoI, FIIRO partner on agro-processing

    BoI, FIIRO partner on agro-processing

    The Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) may review strategies to deepen relationships that will aid the realisation of their mandates.

    The agencies argued that, despite the huge deposit of natural resources in the country, there is a need to develop homegrown solutions to address the gaps in the country’s industrialisation drive.

    With research already conducted in key areas where the nation has competitive and comparative advantage, BoI and FIIRO have concluded plans to review intervention strategies that would drive agro-processing in line with their mandates.

    The move would include interventions that would aid the country’s transformation from farming to developing small-scale enterprises, food processing and industrialised agro-industries.

    Managing Director/Chief Executive of BoI, Rasheed Olaoluwa, during his visit to the FIIRO, in Lagos, stressed the need to create an ecosystem that will function towards industrialising the country.

    He said the leading development finance institution  had a similar mandate to that of the research institute in enhancing economic development, hence the need to streamline activities between both institutions in a way to engender growth for the country through industrialisation.

    He observed that at 6.8 per cent, the contribution of the manufacturing sector to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) was low.

    He said: “We need to find home grown solution to our economic growth.

    “Rather than appeal to industrialists to utilise FIIRO’s inventions, we will support those who come to take up equipment from FIIRO.”

    He said the bank was procuring the services of professional Business Support Service Providers (BSSP), urging FIIRO to key into the initiative to help prospective loan seekers acquire information and develop bankable applications.

    With the Federal Government’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) drive, the BoI boss said it is important for FIIRO to explore the potential of deploying low-cost local technology that can help SMEs compete favourably.

  • Samsung, firm partner on smart homes for consumers

    Samsung, firm partner on smart homes for consumers

    In line with its vision of creating the ideal home environment where innovative technology meets cutting-edge design, Samsung Electronics West Africa has partnered with Home and You Interiors to showcase the future of interior decoration.

    The initiative is the first of its kind in Nigeria and underscores the partners’ commitment to delivering products that meet consumers’ needs while enhancing their passion for entertainment, cooking and maintaining beautiful homes. Similar partnerships between Samsung and other interior design companies across the country are slated for the months ahead.

    According to Samsung Electronics’ Director of Consumer Electronics, Mr. Sunil Kumar, the initiative aims to provide Nigerians with the opportunity of experiencing the integration of Samsung’s newest consumer appliances, including its curved ultra-high-definition televisions and digital appliances such as the newly launched WW9000 washing machine, with everyday lifestyles.

    “Our partnership with Home and You Interiors reinforces our continued commitment to offering homeowners the very best in innovative and stylish design. Through this channel, Nigerians can experience the elegant design and interoperability of Samsung’s latest consumer appliances in a tastefully-furnished home setting. The initiative will also enable our consumers elevate the look and design of their homes with a blend of quality furniture and consumer appliances towards making their living spaces more stylish, energy efficient and sustainable,” he said.

    Kumar urged Nigerians to visit Home and You Interiors’ showroom in Lekki, Lagos in order to interact firsthand with the companies’ lifestyle and technology innovations as well as obtain a deeper understanding of the partnering organisations’ commitment to creating a smarter life through quality design and innovative eco-friendly solutions. He added that Samsung will be furthering its commitment to promoting smart living by partnering with other interior designers in Nigeria’s residential market.

    On her part, Chief Executive Officer of Home and You Interiors, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, said “Since inception, our company has delivered top quality furniture, accessories and designs that create interiors that wow. Through this partnership with Samsung, our clients will get to see how effortlessly integrated technology solutions blend into our creative designs and ultimately enable them to enjoy style and optimal convenience at all times.”

    Samsung Electronics Co. Limited is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, the company is transforming the worlds of televisions, home appliances, LTE systems, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, semiconductors and LED solutions. The group employs 236,000 people across 79 countries with annual sales of US$187.8 billion.

  • NEPC, Elumelu Foundation partner for increased agric exports

    NEPC, Elumelu Foundation partner for increased agric exports

    The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and The Tony Elumelu Foundation have signed a one-year partnership by improving its share of the global, non-oil export market and increasing agricultural export.

    The move, it was learnt, was meant to create a more competitive Nigerian economy.

    In a statement in Abuja, the NEPC said under the new agreement, the foundation provided the council with a technical advisor, Maureen Ideozu, through its Elumelu Fellowship Programme. Besides, two associates from the Elumelu Professionals Programme – Lawi Laktabai (a Congolese) and Jean-Yves Mutanda – are working with key NEPC officers to increase agricultural products’ exports.

    NEPC’s Chief Executive Olusegun Awolowo said the council is benefitting from the public good initiative of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

    He said the consistent input from the embedded Elumelu Fellow and visiting Masters’ interns were valuable to the strategic repositioning of the council.

    Awolowo said: “I am very pleased with this partnership as we jointly work towards the socio-economic development of our country and the diversification of our economy.”

    Among her numerous responsibilities, Ms. Ideozu will work directly with Mr. Awolowo to increase Nigerian private sector participation in global trade and liaise with the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council, other government agencies, as well as private sector organisations to implement the NEPC’s strategic plan.

    “The Elumelu Fellowship offers me an opportunity to contribute to increased competitiveness in by unlocking opportunities for Nigerian companies in a manner that equips them to compete globally,” Ideozu said.

    The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s Chief Executive Wiebe Boer said the organisation was committed to implementing solutions that would improve the operating environment for its private sector.

  • Baptists partner firm

    The Department of Youth and Student Ministries of the Nigeria Baptist Convention (NBC) has partnered a United Kingdom (UK) firm, AHEAD Strategies, to curb unemployment.

    NBC and the firm are organising a two-day workshop from today at the Bowen University, Iwo in Osun State, with the theme: “The practical intervention for solving youth unemployment”.

    Addressing reporters at the convention’s headquarters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the Director of the Department of Youth and Student Ministries, Rev. Samuel Olaleye, said unemployment is of concern to the NBC, adding that it cannot keep quiet while the ugly trend continues.

  • Commercial law firm gets new partner

    A Lagos-based commercial law firm, Perchstone & Graeys, has admitted one of its senior associates, Mr. Tolulope Aderemi as a partner.

    Aderemi, a 2005 law graduate of the University of Ibadan, hold a Masters in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

    He has been involved in high profile domestic and international energy transactions, litigations as well as energy/construction arbitration references.

    He heads the firm’s Oil and Gas group and is the Editor of the Perchstone & Graeys’ electronic Power Today, a weekly publication dealing with trends and events in the power sector.

    The firm’s founder and Managing Partner, Mr Osaro Eghobamien (SAN) said Aderemi emerged through a rigorous and transparent qualification and screening exercise, in which the Board of Partners engaged the services of an independent external consultant who assisted to identify the best talent.

    “The decision making process proved to be far more daunting than ever anticipated. Each of the candidates showed various sterling qualities, having been in the firm for no less than five years.

    “In the end, the Board of Partners had to settle for one who was most likely to develop new business, contribute to the firm’s profitability and add value to the firm beyond doing legal work.

    “Now more than before, the firm it seems is strategically positioned to meet and exceed its clients’ expectations by attracting and retaining the best talent to service its clientele across diverse sectors.

    “The message seems to be that there is no upper limit to the heights that can be attained by the irm’s lawyers in a system that rewards dynamism and opens up a piece of the business to deserving stars,” Eghobamien said.