The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Samsung

  • Samsung: Egina FPSO showcased local expertise

    Samsung Heavy Industries yesterday said the timely construction and delivery of the Egina Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) vessel has demonstrated the ability of local firms to deliver to tough standards.

    In a statement yesterday, the South Korean engineering giant, said the completion of the largest floating oil platform in the world is an achievement for any yard.

    “This success story was made possible through Samsung Heavy Industries’ belief in the potential of Nigerian companies and workers to deliver to their tough, exacting standards.  Over 9.7 million hours of time have been spent by the Nigerian workforce, with over 6,000 Nigerians in employment on the project at its peak via Samsung and its partners and subcontractors,” it explained.

    It said it is extraordinary because it is the first ship fabricated by the $300 million fabrication and integration facility created to build the ship.

    “A number of records were broken during construction.  This is the first ever project to meet Nigeria’s demanding new standards for “local content”, which in simple terms means Nigerian-owned business delivering work in Nigeria.

  • $3.9b Egina FPSO contract: NNPC, Samsung disagree on variation cost

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) are in discussion over further variation of the $3.9billion Engina Floating, Production, Storage, Offloading (FPSO) vessel contract.

    While the NNPC appears not to be  favourably disposed to further payment of variation costs to SHI, the latter is pushing for variation cost of $800 million citing extra ordinary increase in the quantities of structure and piping materials of the FPSO. The contract was awarded to SHI by Total Upstream Nigeria Ltd, the operator of the ultra deep offshore Egina oilfield in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 130 and a joint venture (Jv) partner with NNPC, in 2013, at an initial sum of $2,993,800,514. It was later reviewed up to $3,335,941,349.

    The FPSO vessel, adjudged the largest in the world, measuring 330 million in length and 61 million in breadth, was designed to have an oil storage capacity of two million barrels.

    In line with the Federal Government’s resolve to grow local content, ensure speedy technology transfer and in conformity with the Local Content Act, indigenous firms were allotted leading roles in the engineering design of the vessel and its fabrication and integration were to be carried out in-country. It was a first major move at local content promotion in the upstream sector of the oil industry.

    High level oil industry sources however said the local content initiative, which was seen as a step in the right direction, seems to have now become the excuse to compel the government to pay astronomical cost for the contract.

    Relying on the clause in the contract which allows variation cost requests, SHI had, at various times made requests for variation costs, claiming that it incurred additional cost because the engineering works on the vessel by Nigerians were below standard.

    Investigations reveal that the Total/NNPC JV has paid additional $546,755,118 as variation costs to SHI to date , thus bringing the total cost of the project to $3.9Billion.

    High level NNPC contact disclosed that Samsung is currently in discussion with the National Petroleum Investment Management Services Ltd (NAPIMS), the upstream subsidiary of NNPC and Total on variation costs of $800 million.

    SHI last April, had threatened to stop work on the vessel by serving a “notice of dispute” on Total. It carried out the threat the following month after which it resorted to legal battle.

    Shocked by the turn of event, NAPIMS and Total met with Samsung and handed it an August 24 ultimatum to launch the FPSO or face the termination of the contract. To show how serious it was, NAPIMS threatened to place a 10 year ban on Samsung if it fails to comply with its directive.

    Although SHI went back to work and the  FPSO had since sailed away to Egina oilfied, the LADOL fabrication Yard and Quay where it was built, SHI has intensified its agitation for variation cost payment and has made it clear that it was going to press on with its suit at the Arbitration in London where it is seeking for the payment of $1.6 billion if Total /NNPC JV fails to honour its variation cost invoice.

    A top oil industry source, who retired as the head of one of the key oil industry agencies, weekend expressed disbelief over such huge variation costs, insisting that it is only in Nigeria that such could happen.

    He said: “Don’t forget that the Bonga oilfield vessel had a similar, if not exactly the same crisis situation. NAPIMS did a thorough investigation, forensic audit was done, a report was written thereafter, but what becomes of this effort?
    “If NAPIMS and Total accede to Samsung’s request for additional US$800 million, total increase in approved contract variation costs would have hit US$1,708,895,953. This will be 57 % of the original cost price.
    ” In my 33 years in the oil industry, I never heard of such ridiculous variation cost, especially when you do not have any significant increase on work scope or any remarkable unusual development which may have had profound impact on project execution, manpower and man hour. Even by Nigerian bizarre standard, this will emerge as the highest level of variations in the history of EPC contract,” he said.

    Another oil industry chieftain, the CEO of an oil producing company describes the situation as truly unfortunate. “ Generally projects of this kind are  too expensive in Nigeria. To appreciate the seriousness of this issue, go and take the total development cost of the field, total development cost of the FPSO and all the variation costs they are talking about and divide it by the ultimate recovery, that is the number of barrels of oil they will recover and you will see what the development cost is.

    “Elsewhere in the world, development cost is between US$5 and 7, check that one, it is probably betweenUS$20 and 30. So you start asking yourself, if the price of crude oil falls to US$50, other than royalty, the government does not get anything because the development cost already wipes out everything.”

    Impeccable NNPC sources disclosed that the corporation’s management has taken a position similar to the one taken by these oil industry chiefs.

    “I can say it emphatically that NNPC is opposed to any further variation cost. As an EPC contract, paying even 30% over the original contract price is mind boggling, given that there was never any major engineering redesigning and no significant increase in scope of work. To take it to the level of 57% of the original cost is simply absurd. Don’t forget that as a joint venture partner to Total, NNPC, and by implication, Nigeria, is being called upon to cough out this unjustifiable huge amount at a time when every cent is needed to build our infrastructure.”

    Checks revealed that while a key manager of Total Upstream who is fully involved in the project argued in favour of the payment of the US$800 million being requested by Samsung, other management staff are said to be opposed to any further variation, and are not willing to discuss any variation cost

  • Court orders Samsung to remove barricade around Ladol facility

    A Lagos High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) has ordered Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) of South Korea to remove the barricade and the electric fence it erected around the facility of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL) within seven days.

    The defendants told the court that Samsung Heavy Industries, on November 27, blocked three entrance gates to the LADOL fabrication and integration yard, using several dozens of 1m thick 32 ton blocks – piled three feet high, while the remaining access gate was blocked with a crane.

    It said the perimeter fence around the yard now displays signage saying: “Danger/1100v/High voltage/Gas Area/Explosion Hazard/Keep off.”

    According to it, port users interpreted the signage to indicate that Samsung has actually electrified the fence.

    Justice Abdulfattah Lawal directed LADOL to continue to supply electricity and water to its tenant (Samsung) and not to evict it pending when judgment will be delivered on the substantive suit on January 25, 2019.

    The judge had earlier refused to grant Samsung an interim injunction to challenge the termination of the lease agreement it had with Ladol.

    Samsung and Ladol went into partnership as main contractor and local content partners respectively for the procurement, construction and commissioning of the $3.3 billion Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) for the Egina deep water oil field, operated by Total, on behalf of itself and partners.

    Part of the terms of the contract, as set out by the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), was the upgrading of LADOL’s fabrication yard and quay, a requirement targeted at providing and enhancing local content.

    According to LADOL, the partnership soon ran into a crisis following its discovery that contrary to Samsung’s claim that it invested $300 million in the fabrication yard upgrade, Total allegedly paid $214 million to Samsung for the job.

    The firm claimed that this turn of events made Samsung a contractor in the upgrade of the facility and not an investor as Samsung claimed.

    LADOL averred that this development shortchanged it, whittling down its stake in the equity from 70 per cent to 30 per cent, led to more crises and shook LADOL’s confidence in the arrangement.

    It alleged that SAMSUNG may have further complicated matters with its move to get the cost of rent of LADOL’s facility reviewed downward by engaging the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in direct negotiation to that effect, contrary to the terms of the agreement between the two partners.

    Feeling shortchanged, LADOL, at the expiry of the sublease in June 2018, granted the partnership a two-month extension to enable Samsung complete its work on the Egina FPSO, rather than a renewal.

    It said the two month extension of the operating license expired on September 2, about six days after the Egina FPSO sailed away to Egina field.

    But, following Total’s intervention on behalf of Samsung, LADOL allowed Samsung workers to come into the zone to carry out some works, thus ensuring there was no loss to Nigeria.

    It told the court that this was the situation until last Tuesday when Samsung, to the surprise of both Total, its client and LADOL, its estranged local content partner, went ahead to erect the barricade and the electric fence.

  • Samsung unveils QLED TV in Nigeria

    Samsung Electronics West Africa has launched its newest and smartest televsion into the Nigerian market.

    According to the company, the QLED TV 2018 features impeccable picture quality, inspiring style, and ingenious ways for users to find content; removing anything that distracts, detracts, or delays from the experience.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the television in Ikoyi, Lagos,  Key Account Manager, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Olumide Olakotan, said the firm had put in a lot of thought into creating a device that would not only serve as an entertainment tool but also add to the glamour and panache that Samsung products brings to the home.

    “At Samsung, we are focused on leaving a legacy of perfection for our consumers and that is why all our products are carefully crafted to meet the very specific needs of our growing dynamic and stylish customers,” he said.

    Another novel addition to the QLED TV 2018 is the ambient mode feature which is also a first in the QLED series, providing useful information throughout the day – even when consumers aren’t actively watching the TV. Most interesting about this feature is the fact that the QLED can double as a piece of art in the living room or blend into the wall. “The QLED when wall-mounted and on Ambient Mode can mimic the pattern on the wall behind the TV to create an astonishing visual effect in which the TV blends seamlessly into the wall. QLED TVs can hide in plain sight. If you are not watching TV, you won’t see a TV,” Olakotan added.

    Users can experience the truly connected life through the SmartThings app which connects the TV to a broad range of smart devices and appliances, from the fridge to your smartphone, etc.

    With the OneRemote feature, users can say good bye to juggling remotes to control the different connected devices as it automatically detects, identifies and controls connected devices and content. Users never have to take their eyes off the TV to operate any internet connected device in their homes – hence the slogan, See Nothing Else.

    “The QLED 2018 is voice operated and can be easily synched with any device in the home powered by internet connectivity. With this feature, users can dim the light, turn off the washing machine and regulate the AC all from the comfort of their couch,” Mr. Olakotan concluded.

    Don’t feel like mounting your QLED 2018 on the wall? That’s okay. Samsung Electronics anticipated that and created a Gravity and Studio stand specially designed to aesthetically enhance any room.

    With the QLED 2018, Samsung Electronics offers a next generation experience giving consumers the best possible picture quality, infinite design and the closest human eye view any device has to offer. The TV comes in 55, 65 and 75 inches with a curved screen option and is now available at Samsung outlets throughout West Africa.

     

  • Samsung’s financial crisis and Total’s connection

    In December 2017, the Chief Executive of Samsung Heavy Industries, SHI, Park Dae-young resigned from the world third largest shipbuilder. Dae-young threw in the towel following financial losses that cost the company about a third of its market capitalization.

    But the trouble of the Korea based corporate giant did not start in 2017. It indeed dates back to the 2008 global financial crisis. Since then, Samsung has struggled.

    Between 2010 and 2013 however, hope came the way of Samsung. This was when Total Upstream Nigeria Limited, TUPNI, in joint venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, called for tender for the US$3.1 billion contract for the construction of the Floating Production Storage Offloading, FPSO for the Egina deep water oil field. This was exactly how the path of Total and Samsung Heavy Industries, Nigeria, crossed. The Korean behemoth and Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics, LADOL, agreed to jointly tender for the Total Egina FPSO as main contractor and Local Content Partner respectively. Their bid was successful and so they won the massive contract.

    Total, in effect, had given Samsung a lifeline at a most trying period. Samsung however did not seem to share this sentiment as it commenced the execution of the contract on a rather combative posture. This belligerent attitude would become the ordeal of LADOL and later Total which had watched Samsung’s bellicose tendencies with a comportment analysts described as loud indifference if not cold complicity.

    Perhaps haunted by its dwindling fortune, Samsung seemed, from the start, to be driven by an inordinate quest for profit. Take for instance its first issue with LADOL. The partners had agreed that if their tender was successful, a joint venture to be known as SHI Mega Construction and Integration Free Zone, SHI MCI- FZE would be set up. The well applauded vision was for this company to construct and own the upgraded fabrication and integration facilities at LADOL with 80% ownership by LADOL and 20% by Samsung. This ownership structure was based on the fact that the upgrade of the fabrication and integration yard at LADOL was one of the local content facilities approved by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and committed to by Total for the Egina FPSO contract. For this reason, the Egina FPSO contract set forth a provision for Total to pay Samsung the sum of US$214 million for the upgrade of the fabrication and integration facility, as a contractor to Total, in fulfillment of Total’s local content obligations and commitment to the Nigerian regulators. It was simply like a sub-contract to which Samsung was simply paid to actualize as a contractor. The US$3.1 billion Egina FPSO contract therefore included the US$214 million for the upgrade of the facilities at LADOL. But Samsung did not reveal this to its local partner. And Total unfortunately also kept what would later turn out a complicit silence.

    Total’s mute indifference would energize Samsung to hide the US$214 million in its pocket and to unilaterally fix the EPC costs of upgrading the fabrication and integration facility at LADOL at US$300 million. Not done, Samsung insisted on providing corporate finance on its own terms, urging LADOL to pay US$240 million as debt and equity to pay for its 80% ownership of SHI MCI- FZE and the facility. The deadlock that followed the partners’ disagreement led to Samsung purportedly terminating the partnership with LADOL. Driven by a fierce sense of justice, LADOL went to court to seek redress.

    But by 2018, justice like the sword of Damocles came to prevail. At the public hearing of the Nigerian Senate Ad hoc Committee investigating the local content elements of the Egina project, it emerged for the first time that Total had paid Samsung about US$214 million for the upgrade of the facilities. Total, in fact, accepted that the US$214 million was included in the US$3.1 billion Egina FPSO contract.

    This shocking revelation would however not change anything for Samsung. It still went about the media insisting, affirming and proclaiming its ownership of the SHI MCI-FZE. But as an oil and gas writer puts it, “Samsung had to do this. It was a desperate move”. Indeed back home in Korea at this time, the parent company was in acute financial crisis.

    SHI had made a US$1.4 billion new share issue following a US$1 billion issue in 2016, which would be used to pay down debt and reduce the risk of banks limiting lending to it due to its weak earnings prospects. Analysts say that the company’s ability to win new orders had been constrained as it has been squeezed between bigger domestic rivals (Hyundai Heavy industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering) and lower cost Chinese players. To cap the economic nightmare, it has been slow to respond to its worsening financial situation.

    The Egina FPSO project was an opportunity it seemed, for Samsung to extract maximum profit even if by all means necessary. The US$214 million exploitation was only a prognosis of what was to come. With U$499 million lost in 2017 and another projected U$278 million loss in 2018, Samsung would become stringent if not desperate to halt the slide. Since the Egina FPSO was still within its mortal grip, Total would become a target for the much needed quantum dollars to bear up a withering giant.

    On April 30, precisely, Samsung issued Notice of Dispute against Total, requesting a confounding variation of US$1.6 billion. In a letter dated June 1, and directed to the Group General Manager of National Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS, Samsung stated, “We are operating under a significant financial loss of US$1 billion”. It appealed to NAPIMS to help resolve the dispute. Curiously, the Korea giants still claimed to have lost US$300 million due to its investment in the yard at LADOL. This was in spite of the fact that it had become common knowledge that Total paid US$214 million to same Samsung for the purpose of the upgrade of the LADOL yard.

    By July 12, Samsung had served Total Notice of Pre-Suspension of Work, stressing its intention to stop work unless Total paid, pronto, a variation of US$500 million.

    For those who had followed the increasingly twisted relationship of Samsung and Total and the Seoul based company’s convoluted journey, it was clear that the court of law would be the final theatre to straighten what had become a knotty matter. And on July 31, Samsung pitched a date with providence as it dragged Total to a Federal High Court in Lagos State in a suit No. LD/2744-GCM/18, seeking injunction to stop Total from terminating its contract with Samsung and moving the Egina FPSO from LADOL yard.

    Samsung suffered a lethal wound as the High Court on July 31, ruled against it and threw out their case against Total.

    Although an arbitration had been planned for London and Total, had agreed to consider payment of US$800 million, Samsung appeared desperate to get at least US$500 million even before the arbitration. It was this rash of extreme behavior that would prove its final undoing. Exactly six days after its case was thrown out, Samsung returned to the court once again. This was on August 6. It was seeking the same injunction to stop Total from terminating its contract and moving the Egina FPSO from LADOL until the conclusion of the arbitration over its variation demand. On August 29, the Federal High Court again ruled against Samsung and threw its case out. And this deep legal laceration was coming after their case at NAPIMS had ended in a fiasco. NAPIMS in a terse statement had given Samsung until Friday, July 24, to launch the FPSO from LADOL or face termination of their contract and 10-year ban from working in Nigeria.

    Having taken some dizzying legal pounds, worsened further by NAPIMS ultimatum, Samsung had to depend on the goodwill of Total and Ladol for access to LADOL yard to complete their scope of work on the Egina FPSO, as its operating license had expired.

    But Samsung is tenacious. They are still clinging to some blinking hope. They are hoping that 2019 elections may usher in a new and more friendly leadership, where their ‘connection to the seat of power’ is assured.

    Can Samsung count on this ghostly dream?

  • 2018: Samsung okays QLED television for Nigerian homes

    Samsung has revealed that its newest and smartest television, the Samsung QLED Television 2018, is  build with an  Ambient Mode feature that will seamlessly resonate with lifestyle and Nigerian homes.

    Key Account Manager, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Olumide Olakotan, said in Lagos that the new device would not only serve as an entertainment tool, but also add to the glamour that Samsung products brings to the home.

    He added that the new features in Samsung 2018 QLED television included a new ‘Invisible Connection’ or a single super-thin cable that will be hard to spot.

    “The main cable and nest of HDMI cables will go into the standard, separate connection box, and then a single, barely noticeable cable connects them to the television, leaving the area clutter free and tidy.

    This is the first time such a thin cable has handled both data and power duties, said the Samsung official.

    “At Samsung, we are focused on leaving a legacy of perfection for our consumers and that is why all our products are carefully crafted to meet the very specific needs of our growing dynamic and stylish customers,” he said.

    The manager said that the QLED could double as a piece of art in the living room or blend into the wall.

    “The QLED when wall-mounted and on Ambient Mode can mimic the pattern on the wall behind the television, to create an astonishing visual effect in which the TV blends seamlessly into the wall.

    “QLED television can hide in plain sight. If you are not watching, you will not see a TV,” Olakotan added.

    Olakotan said users could now experience the truly connected life through the SmartThings app which connects the television to a broad range of smart devices and appliances, from the fridge to your smartphone, among others.

    He stressed that with the OneRemote feature, users could do without juggling remotes to control the different connected devices as it automatically detects, identifies and controls connected devices and content.

    “Users never have to take their eyes off the television to operate any internet connected device in their homes – hence the slogan, See Nothing Else.

    “The QLED 2018 is voice operated and can be easily synched with any device in the home powered by internet connectivity.

    “With this feature, users can dim the light, turn off the washing machine and regulate the air conditioner all from the comfort of their couch.

    “The television comes in 55, 65 and 75 inches with a curved screen option and is now available at Samsung outlets throughout Nigeria,’’ he said

  • ADRON, Samsung to splash 58,000 phones on subscribers

    Subscribers to the Adron Homes scheme are to benefit from a strategic partnership between Adron Homes and mobile phone manufacturer, Samsung.

    The partnership will see 58, 000 Nigerians, who key in into the Adron home scheme, get one Samsung mobile phone free. The phone model range is S9, J6+ and J4+. Winning is dependent on the land purchase plan of a subscriber.

    At the launch of the promo in Lagos, Adron Homes Group Managing Director, Oba Adetola Emmanuel-King, said the initiative is geared towards celebrating Nigeria’s 58th anniversary and Nigerians, who have endured economic hardships and strived to be better despite numerous challenges facing the country.

    According to him, his firm believes that independence should symbolise strong values that reawaken the spirit of national unity and patriotism in the minds of the younger generations for whom the future awaits to take baton of leadership to posterity.

    “The Adron-Samsung 58,000 Synergy is intended to further manifest the Adron philosophy of making the incredible affordable. A whooping total of 58,000 units of latest versions of Samsung phones have been made available for free distribution to Nigerians in the Adron Homes independence promo,” Emmanuel-King said, adding that through the promo, every Nigerian and other residents have the opportunity to own any of the trending models of Samsung phone devices by subscribing to at least, a plot of land in any of the Adron estates in Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Nasarawa states.

    Emmanuel-King said with time, people have come to realise that government cannot be the sole providers of basic necessities of life, especially housing. He averred that no country has attained greatness except one whose physical and socio-economic advancement have been a function of multi-faceted synergy.

    ”Already, our dear country has realised this much. The concept and practice of public-private partnership now permeate virtually all the sectors of our nation, as it is now common to find government and private organisations jointly investing in infrastructure provision,” he said.

  • Samsung to Nigerians: Galaxy Note9 is the best smartphone

    Samsung on Friday introduced its newest flagship Smartphone, the Galaxy Note9  in Nigeria. The Note9 unveiled in Lagos has exciting, and innovative features which are unique and stunning.

    The smartphone dubbed; The Game Changer, was launched with a state-of-the-art S Pen with automatic features and sensory control aesthetics for intelligent camera.

    Speaking at the launch of the Note9, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Jingak Chung said the Note9 has raised the bar for smartphones performance.

    Mr. Olumide Ojo, Director, Information Technology & Mobile (IM); Mr. Jingak Chung, Managing Director; Mr. Awomodu Olugbenga, Marketing Manager, all of Samsung Electronics West Africa and Bankole Wellington, Samsung Ambassador/Host during the launch of Samsung Galaxy Note9 into the Nigerian market at Samsung Experience Store, Ikeja City Mall, Lagos on Friday.

    “The Galaxy Note9 is a revolutionary smartphone that delivers the ultimate in performance; a new S Pen with connectivity for the first time ever; and Samsung’s most intelligent camera yet. These are just some of the features that will allow users to do so much more. An all day, longer lasting battery is just another reason why. Users can now talk, message, play games and watch movies for as long as they desire. The Galaxy Note9 is bigger, better and so much stronger. For business or play, it’s a game changer,” Jingak said.

    What stands the Galaxy Note9 head and shoulders above all other hand-held devices is the creativity, innovation and a burning desire to match and exceed consumer needs in the world of mobile technology.

    While speaking on the functionality of the phone, Director, Information Technology & Mobile (IM), Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Olumide Ojo explained that a lot of thought had gone into the creation of the Note9, a fascinating addition to the Galaxy family specifically crafted for the busy exec.

    “The S Pen is just one of the ways we have modified our consumer’s user experience. From a classic portable and functional design to a sleek multifaceted power tool, the pen-like device now features a Bluetooth chip that allows the pen function aside of its natural form. With the S Pen, consumers can change slides during presentations, activate their cameras or skip songs on their playlists. The S Pen is truly a modern day magic wand,” Ojo added.

    The Samsung Galaxy Note9 builds on Samsung’s industry-leading camera technologies with new capabilities that use intelligence to identify elements of a photo, such as scene and subject, and adapt accordingly. It can even detect flaws in images to ensure users capture those precious moments exactly how the intended. The result is stunning, life like images with bold colours and dynamic definition.

    With the Samsung Dex, users can effortlessly connect to a monitor with an easy to carry HDMI adaptor, which means they instantly have a big screen, a full-size keyboard and a mouse. It is like having a second screen whenever you want one. Just connect your phone to an external display to use apps, review documents and watch videos on a PC-like interface.

    Users can also look forward to experiencing the largest edge-to-edge display ever on a Note. The 6.4-inch Super Amoled Infinity Display provides a truly immersive multimedia experience. The Samsung Galaxy Note9’s Infinity Display is complemented with stereo speakers, which are tuned by AKG, and have the ability to deliver Dolby Atmos® immersive sound for an audio adventure like no other.

    The Galaxy Note 9 is available in Midnight Black, and Metallic Copper with matching S Pen, or Ocean Blue with a Yellow S Pen. To celebrate the launch, the first customers to purchase the Note9 will get a limited pre-order gifts valued at over NGN 50,000. This welcome pack includes a wireless charger for convenient, fast charging during those heavy-use days; a tripod for S-Pen selfies on which users can effortlessly set up their devices to capture a moment, while the S-Pen does the rest; and the ultra-convenient DeX HDMI cable. In addition, customers will receive a Protective Dome Glass. Packed with innovative features and additional gifts, the Note9 is a device you will definitely want to get your hands on. 

    To purchase the device, customers can visit the network providers, MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile and Glo; Samsung Experience Stores, and select retail partners nationwide. Customers are encouraged to purchase their Galaxy Note 9 only in Nigeria and only from authorized dealers so they can enjoy a 24-month warranty.

  • Customer drags Samsung to SON over warranty

    A customer of Samsung Electronics, Dan Aibangbe, has written a petition to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) over a product he bought from the South Korea original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

    The petition dated July 24, was on a product, Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime 351692/09/348434/2, he bought from Lummy Communications.

    “Incidentally, the product developed a major fault, i.e blank out completely within a short period of three and half months.

    “This incident occurred very early within the two- year warranty period offered as part of the sale condition and I returned same to Samsung Channel Partner who examined it and advised that I take the product straight to Samsung Service Centre to avoid delay.

    “On the same day as advised, I took the product to Samsung Service Centre where it was received with receipt number 0004453 on warranty condition.

    “However, to my disbelief, I was called over the phone  the next day by one Tayo, Samsung Regional Manager on 08129459001, 012341701. He  told me that liquid was found inside the phone and that I am required to pay N41, 500 to repair the defective part,” the petition read in part.

    He said throughout the period he used the phone, it did not come in contact with water or any other liquid. He said  the  phone was not opened in his presence and therefore, doubted the veracity of Samsung’s claims.

    “Therefore, I appeal to you to use your office to properly advice as to my right as a consumer and as well assist me in redressing the situation, bearing in mind that this device is a major tool of my trade. I bought the phone despite its relative high cost based on my belief about its high quality and promised durability.

    “I cannot afford lengthy delay in a repair or replacement. Already, the device has been in Samsung’s possession for over four weeks with no favourable response. As a result, I have lost uncountable business calls and usual opportunities, which by my calculation, amounted to over N20 million.

    “I am convinced that the action of Samsung is a deliberate attempt to void the device’s warranty and compel me to pay for the repairs. This is evidently what Nigerians go through in the hands of Samsung on a regular basis.

    “It is beyond argument that Samsung deliberately flouts the laws of the land in order to keep exploiting and extorting money from Nigerians, whereas it cannot do the same in its mother country or in Europe and America,” Aibangbe said.

    He urged the regulator to investigate the likelihood of Samsung ripping off Nigerians through the distribution and sale of sub- standard models of their device offering, adding that the number of people he met with similar complains on the day of his visit to Samsung was massive.

    Efforts to get the reaction of Samsung proved futile as calls to its Managing Director, Bravo Kim, fell through while the email that was sent to him failed to deliver.

  • Samsung unveils Galaxy J4, J6, A6+

    Korean tech giant, Samsung Electronics Co. Limited has launched the latest additions to its Galaxy J family, Galaxy J4 and J6, as well as the Galaxy A6+, in Nigeria. The J-series is a mid-range Smartphone series whilst the A6+ is in the high-end category.

    Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Jingak Chung, said the Galaxy J series smartphones blend materials with the most advanced Samsung technology. They have bright and vivid cameras, setting a new industry standard for design, craftsmanship and performance for smartphones in the mid-range category, and redefining the company’s signature Galaxy J series.

    Business Leader, Information Technology and Mobile (IM) for Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Olumide Ojo described the Galaxy J4, J6, and A6+ as a testament to Samsung’s leadership and innovation in the Smartphone market and its commitment to developing best-in-class products to meet the ever-changing needs of its consumers.

    “With the introduction of the Galaxy J4 and J6, we took the consumer feedback on our preceding Galaxy J models and made thoughtful and impactful improvements offering consumers a seamless convergence of style and performance for their everyday lifestyles. Both devices come with 32GB internal storage space; they are powered by 3000mAh battery, and run on the latest Android operating system – Android Oreo. With the Ultra Data Saving (UDS) feature, users can surf the internet longer whilst saving data, helping them stay connected for longer periods,” he said.

    The Samsung Galaxy J6 features an infinity display rear fingerprint sensor.

    The Galaxy J series are imbued with Samsung’s legacy for high-performing cameras with an advanced camera system that generates brighter and clearer images. Whilst the 13-megapixel rear-facing cameras on both Galaxy J4 and J6 enables users take amazing photos; the front-facing 5-megapixel camera on J4 and 8-megapixel on J6 let you take more stunning selfies.