Nollywood actor, Efa Iwara will feature in the upcoming film "Finding Me," produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Funke Akindele.

Efa Iwara, known for his versatile performances in films such as "The Men’s Club" and "Seven," will bring his exceptional talent to this highly anticipated movie.

While the plot details and release date for "Finding Me" are yet to be fully disclosed, anticipation is high given Akindele's track record of hit movies. The reveal videos shared on social media so far showcase a stellar cast, and fans are eagerly expecting a compelling narrative.

Alongside Efa Iwara, the film features excellent actors such as Shaffy Bello, Dele Odule, Tina Mba, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, Omoni Oboli, Omowunmi Dada, Joseph Benjamin, Emeka Nwagbaraocha, Femi Adebayo, and Sharon Ooja.

“I am thrilled to be a part of this incredible project,” said Efa Iwara. “Working with Funke Akindele and such a talented cast is a huge honor. ‘Finding Me’ is a powerful story that I believe will resonate deeply with the audience.”

"Finding Me" is slated for release soon and is expected to make a significant impact.

In the spirit of Yuletide, leading digital charity platform, ProjectGiiV and Heirs Insurance Group on Saturday, December 16, 2023 teamed up to spread holiday cheer to the children of Bales of Mercy Orphanage, Lagos, Nigeria.

This donation marks the sixth in 2023 and the eighteenth since ProjectGiiV began operations in 2021. Gifts of clothes, food items and essentials were donated not only to the children of the home but to the workers too. While receiving the items, the home manager, expressed her heartfelt gratitude describing it as a timely and noble gesture that would go a long way in meeting the immediate needs of the children and helping them experience the joy of the season.

In his remark, Heirs Insurance Group Communications Manager, Timilehin Adebiyi described the partnership as a testament of the companies’ commitment to social good. "At Heirs Insurance, we believe in championing social good within Nigeria,” he said. "This donation showcases our commitment to making a positive impact, just as our Heirs Life Essay Championship empowers young minds. We are proud to partner with ProjectGiiV to spread kindness and support such a noteworthy cause."

ProjectGiiV founder Olamide Jasanya thanked Heirs Insurance for throwing their weight behind the charity platform and extending goodwill to the orphanage. He explained that the partnership between ProjectGiiV and Heirs Insurance Group exemplifies the true spirit of the holiday season – a time for giving, sharing, and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

"It is a great pleasure to be wrapping up the year with our first major corporate partner, Heirs Insurance Group. We share similar visions not just towards social good but also the leveraging of technology and digital tools. While we use ours to promote charitable activities, Heirs Insurance Group is excelling with theirs for insurance penetration. This alliance of purposes gives us great confidence that this partnership is meant to be and is the first of many."

Also present at the event were representatives of ProjectGiiV, Toluwanimi Lazarus, project coordinator, and Anuoluwapo Akomolafe, volunteer manager amongst others.

Politician and philanthropist, Honorable Seyi Sowunmi, representing the Ojo Federal Constituency of Lagos State at the Federal House of Representatives, has been announced as the Deputy Chairman of the Local Content Committee of the House of Representatives. This was revealed on Thursday, July 27, 2023 during the unveiling of the 134 standing committees announced by the speaker, Honourable Tajudeen Abbas.


A careful review of the List of Committee appointments shows that among the 24 representatives from Lagos State, a total of 17 were assigned committee chairman positions, making Lagos a significant contributor to the legislative affairs of the House of Representatives. Honorable Seyi Sowunmi however stands out as the sole Representative from the Lagos State under the Labour Party to be assigned as deputy chairman of a standing committee of the House, signifying the recognition of his expertise, sterling leadership and pro-Nigerian approach in achieving common goals for the betterment of the nation. Other Representatives from Lagos under the Labour Party were assigned different roles in the Parliamentary Friendship Group. Parliamentary Friendship Group is a caucus or political group with the responsibility of maintaining cordial relationships with other parliamentarians from other countries.


The Local Content Committee plays a critical role in shaping policies and initiatives that promote the participation of Nigerians and Nigerian companies in the nation's economic development and the utilization of indigenous resources in various sectors. The committee ensures they monitor and enforce the law that provides for preference to Nigerian citizens and companies in the procurement of goods and services in all sectors of the economy. It also seeks the transfer of skills and technology to Nigerians during execution of projects where public funds belonging to the federal government or any of its agencies are used.


In the wisdom of the Selection committee constituted by the honourable speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Honorable Seyi Sowunmi's announcement as the Deputy Chairman of the Local Content Committee is a reflection of his ability to build bridges, foster cooperation, and drive consensus among diverse stakeholders. His peers recognize him as an inclusive and visionary leader who is dedicated to advancing Nigeria's progress. The Federal lawmaker from Lagos has since expressed his delight at the announcement, describing it as a reminder of the hard work there is ahead, “I am deeply humbled and honoured by the trust the House’s leadership and especially the Lagos Caucus in the House ably led Hon. Dolapo Badru has placed in me. I see this appointment as a mandate to work tirelessly towards ensuring that the local content policies and initiatives truly benefit all Nigerians, foster economic growth, and encourage the sustainable development of our great nation. As an entrepreneur myself, I understand how critical it is to support home grown skills and companies because their survival is critical to the development of Nigeria’s economy’, he said.


The Local Content Committee, with Honorable Seyi Sowunmi as the Deputy Chairman, will play a pivotal role in steering Nigeria's progress towards greater self-reliance and sustainable economic growth. The committee's mandate includes promotion of indigenous participation, ensuring the active participation of Nigerians in various sectors of the economy, reducing dependence on foreign expertise and creating opportunities for local businesses and individuals. It will also enhance job opportunities, striving to create job opportunities for Nigerian citizens by encouraging companies and industries to prioritize the employment of qualified Nigerian professionals and skilled workers. Another responsibility expected of Honourable Sowunmi by virtue of his new position is to along side the committee Chairman and other members closely monitor the compliance of companies and industries with local content laws, ensuring that they adhere to the stipulated regulations and optimize the use of Nigeria's vast natural and human resources, thereby strengthening the nation's economy and reducing reliance on imports.


Honorable Seyi Sowunmi's appointment as the Deputy Chairman of the Local Content Committee brings hope and optimism for the future of Nigeria's economic development. His track record of integrity, diligence, and people-centric governance is bound to propel the committee's efforts in achieving its goals and objectives.

The global economy is constantly changing, and Africa is no exception. As the continent continues to grow and develop, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and citizen engagement can play a significant role in fostering Africa’s development. This was one of the major takeaways from the recently concluded talk session held at the 2023 Africa NXT event held on Monday, February 6, 2023, at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The session which was put together by leading digital charity platform, ProjectGiiV, had the founder, Olamide Jasanya, and other professionals like Ifesinachi Okpagu, Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs Insurance, Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO of Sterling One Foundation, Ken Egbas, CEO of TruCSR and founder of Chess in Slums, Tunde Onakoya, discuss extensively the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and how it can be used to foster economic growth and social progress in Africa.

Amongst other things discussed was how to use CSR and citizen engagement to create meaningful partnerships between private and public sectors, as well as how to leverage resources to drive positive change in Africa. Jasanya, during his remarks, noted that CSR involves companies taking responsibility for their actions and considering the impacts of their decisions on society and the environment, and Citizen engagement involves the public having a say in the decisions that affect them and their communities. By combining both elements, he says, companies can work together with local communities to develop sustainable solutions to common problems.

“CSR and Citizen Engagement CSR are key factors in developing sustainable local economies and communities. Companies can use CSR to invest in local communities and create jobs. This can help to reduce poverty and provide economic opportunities for people. Companies can also use CSR to help protect the environment and promote conservation. By investing in renewable energy sources and other green initiatives, the effects of climate change can be reduced and a healthier environment, created for people to live in. Citizen engagement is an essential part of developing sustainable local economies and communities. It is important for citizens to have a say in the decisions that affect them and their communities”, he said.

Okpagu spoke about the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors as well as efforts made in achieving social impact through the empowerment of African entrepreneurs. She added that CSR is critical to the economic development of Nigeria and Africa at large. To corroborate Okapagu’s statement, Ibekwe mentioned that the government must collaborate with the private sector to identify existing solutions and drive an efficient partnership towards the same goal of CSR. Egbas spoke from the direction of measuring the impact of CSR. He stated that companies must consider why they invest in CSR to effectively measure its impact on the community and how it benefits both the public and private sectors. In terms of impact metrics, Onokoya added that CSR should be seen from an end-to-end perspective where companies are deliberate about their efforts and the expected outcome it will generate.

The session is the latest effort from ProjectGiiV in continuance of its advocacy to encourage and democratise charitable initiatives. Via its website and mobile app, the organisation continues to ease the process of philanthropic donations making it easy for donors to meet with need homes and make donations without hassle. Since its operations in 2020, the platform has facilitated donations worth over N10m. Over time, ProjectGiiV has partnered with other humanitarian organizations, corporate entities, and individuals to further achieve its corporate philosophy of helping people to do good and touching more lives.

The platform continues to thrive on its pillars – Empathy, Service, Transparency, and Speed – to reach more homes and individuals. With a strong board of trustees and a diverse executive management team, ProjectGiiV remains committed to becoming the leading digital charity platform in Nigeria and across Africa.

Photo: L-R Tunde Onakoya, Founder, ChessinSlums, Ifesinachi Okpagu, Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs Insurance Limited, Olamide Jasanya, Lead Volunteer, ProjectGiiV, Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation and Ken Egbas, CEO of TruCSR after the session about the role of CSR Citizen Engagement in Nation at the AfricaNXT.

… Honeywell Flour Mills Plc (HFMP) and Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (FMN)’s proposed combination

The contribution of key players in the Nigerian food industry has grown in value and relevance over the years. According to a report by the World Trade Organization (WTO), Nigeria is ranked as the largest food market in Africa, with significant investment in the local industry and a high level of imports. As of now, the food and beverage sector is estimated to contribute 22.5% of the manufacturing industry value, and 4.6% of Nigeria's GDP. In another report compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), it was confirmed that the food sector brought in an average of 57% of Gross domestic product (GDP) and generated 64.5% of export earnings.

Founded in 1972, Honeywell Group began as a food trading company servicing the West African region before pivoting to importing a variety of goods for the domestic Nigerian market. Now operating an investment holding company based in Nigeria, Honeywell Group Limited has diversified its business l into different sectors which are referred to as portfolio companies. The Group has evolved to become an investment company participating in major sectors of the Nigerian economy including foods, real estate, leisure and hospitality, energy, infrastructure, and financial services.

Honeywell Flour Mills Plc (HFMP), one of the portfolio companies of Honeywell Group Limited and a market leader in milling, processing & packaging of flour and other wheat-based products in Nigeria has continued to contribute immensely to the growth and performance of the Nigerian economy. With over 20 years of experience, HFMP has gathered extensive knowledge and skill in the production of flour and a range of flour-based products. The company has superior operational efficiency and remains a dominant player in the food industry in Nigeria.

Operating on a total installed capacity of 2,610 metric tonnes per day, HFMP manufactures a variety of products from wheat meals, semolina, noodles, superfine flours to spaghetti, macaroni, brown flour, amongst others.

During the company’s recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held on October 14, 2021, the company recorded an all-time high revenue of N109.5 billion, an increase of 36% over N80.4 billion for the financial year ending March 2021. The company’s Operating Profit also grew faster than revenue at 39%, from N5.4 billion in FY 2019 to N7.6 billion in FY 2020.

Just recently, the Honeywell Group Limited announced the signing of an agreement with Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (FMN) on the proposed combination of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc and Flour Mills of Nigeria, another leading Nigerian food manufacturer to further enhance food security in the country and create a more resilient national champion in the Nigerian foods industry. This agreement will have Honeywell Group Limited dispose of a 71.69% stake it has in HFMP to FMN.

Building on the achievements and improved performances of HFMP and FMN year-on-year, it can be seen that this is a combination of two giants in the food manufacturing industry in Nigeria. With more than the 85-year combined track record of both companies and their shared goal of making affordable food available to Nigeria’s population, stakeholders will benefit from this combination in numerous ways.

Based on the scale of the transaction that will be carried out by the consolidated company, this will provide employees with more career development opportunities in a larger organisation, with the potential to create more jobs in the economy. Customers will also benefit from access to a wider product range and an even stronger stream of innovation that can only be delivered by a combined entity with stronger teams and financial muscle. In addition, Nigeria and its food security agenda will benefit from both companies’ focus on developing Nigeria’s industrial capability, its agricultural value chain and specifically backward integration of the food industry.

The proposed combination will bring together two trusted and entrenched brands, creating a single entity of becoming a national champion in the food manufacturing space that is better positioned to benefit the growing Nigerian population and leverage opportunities stemming from the African Continent Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

As this deal comes to a close, Honeywell Group, a leading investment company is setting its sights on the journey of refining and growing its investment portfolio. This will see it consolidate in sectors where it currently operates, such as real estate, energy, financial services, infrastructure. The company also intends to announce more strategic initiatives in the coming months.

... the biggest transaction of the week, and the company’s future plans

Recently, Honeywell Group Limited (HGL) announced a deal to combine Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, one of its portfolio companies, and FMN. The deal, which is expected to go through before the end of 2021, is subject to regulatory approval. It will see Honeywell Group Limited transfer its 71.69% stake in Honeywell Flour Mills Plc to Flour Mills of Nigeria.

This transaction put Honeywell Group on the radar for many, as many were conversant with Honeywell Flour Mills, as opposed to the investment company, and the parent company of the foods manufacturing company as well as many other companies.

Here are three important things you need to know about this deal and the company leading the transaction.

1. Honeywell Group - a leading investment company:

Honeywell Group is a leading investment company that began as a food trading company servicing the West African region before pivoting to importing a variety of goods including dairy products, stockfish, glass, and steel rods for the domestic Nigerian market.

It has evolved into an investment company, participating in major sectors of the Nigerian economy including foods, financial services, telecommunications, real estate, leisure and hospitality, energy, infrastructure, and security management, in the past 49 years. Honeywell Group invests heavily in these industries through its portfolio companies such as Pivot Engineering, Pivot Energy Services Group, Pavilion Technology Ltd, Uraga Real Estate (owners of Radisson Blu Anchorage, Victoria Island) and strategic investments like Airtel Nigeria and Fan Milk which it has successfully exited.

And now, the company has spearheaded an ₦80 billion agreement to ensure that Honeywell Flour Mills Plc (makers of the popular Honeywell Pasta, Spaghetti, Semolina, etc.) will merge with the only company in the country that can create a food business that is better positioned to benefit the growing Nigerian population and leverage opportunities stemming from the African Continental Free Trade Area (“AfCFTA”).

2. The transaction brings together two of the largest food manufacturers in Nigeria:

On its own, Flour Mills of Nigeria is the largest flour milling company in Nigeria and has been operating for over 60 years. It began operations as a single flour mill in 1960 and has grown into a national conglomerate with an installed flour milling capacity of approximately 12,000 metric tonnes per day. It serves Nigerians through a diversified food portfolio built upon five core food value chains: grains, sweeteners, oils and fats, proteins, and starches.

Honeywell has also proven to be a formidable force over time, particularly in recent years. Its most recent financial results revealed that it grew its revenue by more than 36%, from ₦80.45 billion in 2019 to ₦109.59 billion in 2020. It also increased profit by 73.1% from ₦650.49 million in 2019 to ₦1.13 billion in 2020. In 2020 alone, its pasta production factory in Sagamu produced 138,600 metric tonnes of pasta and generated more than ₦19 billion in revenue. Its plants in Apapa and Ikeja also generated a combined ₦90.51 billion in revenue.

3. It is a merger of two robust businesses that have contributed highly to employment in Nigeria:

The Honeywell Group is a family-owned investment holding company of Nigerian heritage that has transcended generations. It is well-established across critical sectors of the economy, including foods, real estate, infrastructure, energy and financial services, employing over 10,000 people in the process.

Over twenty years, HGL has invested in its portfolio company, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, to build a robust wheat processing business alongside a manufacturing system that produces a range of staple foods, including baking flour, semolina, noodles and pasta.

Flour Mills of Nigeria, on the other hand, has a vast product portfolio and a wide distribution network that spans across the country. Its portfolio includes the largest single-site flour mill and most significant greenfield sugar production investment in Nigeria. It also has the largest edible oil and margarine factory and largest sorghum milling in Sub-Saharan Africa. FMN reports revenue over N770 billion through its vast operations and has always been at the forefront of Nigeria’s industrial development, employing around 15,000 people across the country.

4. The merger potentially creates a national champion for food manufacturing in Nigeria:

The proposed merger will lead to a more resilient national champion for food manufacturing in Nigeria. This will ensure long term job preservation and create additional opportunities across different levels of operations. The new singular entity will benefit from the more than 85 years of combined history and track record of FMN and HFMP.

Through consistent investment in its infrastructure, HFMP has grown from a 200-metric-tonne per day business (70,000 metric tonnes per annum) to producing a capacity of 835,000 metric tonnes per annum. It now sits on an exclusive list of food and beverage businesses that have generated revenue of over N100 billion.

By merging with FMN, the new combined entity will give customers access to a broader range of products and provide a platform for a more proficient line of innovation. Employees will have access to more opportunities within the combined entity and will continue to help the company play a vital role in Nigeria’s food production and security.

Nigeria needs more viable and sizable businesses that have the financial capacity to invest massively in backward integration. The country will benefit from the companies’ focus on developing the agricultural value chain and backward integration of the food industry, ultimately improving food security.

The merger also creates a platform to strengthen the business, enhance growth potentials, and create many more jobs in the future. Beyond the jobs created, the increased productivity will also lead to higher levels of knowledge acquisition and transfer within the workforce as there will no doubt be a deeper investment in technology. The merger also provides a chance for talents from both companies to combine their unique abilities and strengths.

...as millions of Nigerians snag deals in ongoing promo

Nigerian rap star, Naetochukwu ‘Naeto C’ Chikwe, stars in Jumia Nigeria’s new second TV ad for its series that debuted on Monday, November 22, 2021. As the e-commerce website’s Black Friday sales continue to gain steam across the country’s annual Black Friday sales promo, the leading Pan-African eCommerce platform released another ad in its exciting ‘mishap series’. As with the first advert that debuted on Thursday, November 4, 2021, the series is themed around hilarious mishaps and the even bigger deals on the company’s website.

The latest ad follows a mom and daughter purchasing ice cream in a mall and then it slips off the cone. Distraught, the little girl frowns and her mother looks disappointed, the Kini Big Deal singer pops on-screen and wittily informs the duo that there is an even bigger deal than missing a spilled ice cream - Jumia’s Black Friday Sales. He then buys both of them larger scoops.

Following his early education in Nigeria, Naeto C went on to study at the George Washington University, in the US, where he became friends with Uzikwendu and his brother, Ikechukwu Onunaku. They subsequently started the World Famous Academy (WFA) record label.

While still signed to the WFA label, he was noticed by music label, Storm Records, and the new rap artiste returned to Nigeria in 2006, with his friend, Ikechukwu. By 2008, Naeto had released his now-famous first album, U Know My P that had hits such as Kini Big Deal, Sitting On Top, and U Know My P. His sophomore Super C Season album was released in 2011 (Ten Over Ten and Ako Mi Ti Poju were some of the songs off the album). Festival and Day 1 albums were released in 2015. With over 65 songs to his name featuring some of the biggest acts across Africa including Davido, WIz Kid, Sasha, Nkiru, GT the Guitarman, Dare Art-Alade, Saro Wiwa, and Disconnect, the Jumia Black Friday ad marks the first time the popular singer has been in the limelight this year.

The Jumia Black Friday sale is expected to last till Tuesday, November 30, 2021 and this Friday, during the Treasure hunt some items will be sold at give away prices like a Sony Playstation 5 with Wireless Controller going for only ₦5,600, 1 Year Jumia Prime Subscription and a ₦200,000 Shopping Voucher for ₦2,000 and a Haier Thermocool 100L Freezer for ₦990.

The Jumia Black Friday sales event is still live. It is no secret that the main deals happen on Fridays as Black Friday shopping has become a ritual that modern-day online shoppers have come to expect.


With massive deals across various categories, ranging from electronic gadgets to fashion and beauty products, Jumia is serving some hot deals and Nigerians have been enjoying every bit of it!. Don’t fret if you haven’t had the time to participate in the ongoing Black Friday sales since it started. You still have the chance to win big this weekend.


To make sure you do not miss out on all the mouth-watering and jaw-dropping offers being featured this weekend here's what you must do.


1. Shine your eyes:
Keep your eyes peeled for shopping vouchers. Voucher codes are the best way to get good deals and save more. Shopping vouchers are basically valued certificates that can be exchanged for goods. Jumia vouchers can give you discounts of up to 10% on any order you make. The code consists of both letters and numbers. Once you get a voucher code, all you have to do to redeem it is by entering the code into the voucher field found on the cart page. Vouchers can also be redeemed during checkout after items have been selected, input voucher code and click redeem. The value of the voucher will be deducted automatically from your order then you can click ‘confirm order.’


2. Go On The Hunt:
Another way to win big is to start your weekend with the Jumia Treasure Hunt. The hunt is a fun shopping exercise that goes live every Friday by 12 a.m. and again at 6 p.m. Exciting prizes will be hidden in the Jumia app for the eagle-eyed lucky shopper to find in the unlikely places. Prizes with discounts of up to 99% will be up for grabs.


You are less likely to miss this if you keep your eyes glued on your Jumia app at the stipulated time and go hunting.


3. Get Your Quiz On:
If quiz games are more your thing then you're in luck too. With the Jumia quiz game, you can cash in on some amazing prizes by simply answering the given questions correctly in under 30 seconds. The prizes are reserved for the top three winners at the end of the day.


Jumia has provided many exciting features to heighten your shopping experience and help you win big this weekend. Don't snooze on them.


Head over to the Jumia app and start shopping!

… as customers enjoy up to 80% discount on products, win over 20

Quite a number of Nigerians across the country have taken advantage of Jumia’s Black Friday Sales. Many of whom have enjoyed discounts on various products ranging from clothing, fashion accessories, home appliances, to tech gadgets and more.

Jumia, leading Pan-African eCommerce platform, announced its annual Black Friday sales promo in Nigeria earlier in the month and it is recording a boost midway into the promo which is scheduled to run till Tuesday, November 30, 2021.

An excited Stephanie Gara, a caterer based in Abuja and one of the winners from the deals on the e-commerce site narrated her experience during the sales. She was one of the treasure hunt winners and was able to purchase the recently released iPhone 13 for only ₦6,850. ‘Before the Black Friday sales started, I had prepared to win and I told myself I will do everything within my power to win something this year because I tried last year and I wasn’t able to win anything. My children and I stayed awake to search for the phone. I was shocked when I found the iPhone 13 and I was able to add it to the cart. I didn’t believe it at first until I received a call from Jumia. I am going to use the phone to take clean pictures of the food I sell,’ she shared.

Another beneficiary of the many deals from the Jumia Black Friday, Damilola Olawale, also shared his story. Olawale is the most recent winner of a ₦200,000 voucher and one-year free Jumia Prime subscription. This means he can get free delivery to any location in Nigeria and enjoy discounts.

Like Stephanie, Damilola had tried to get a deal during last year’s Black Friday sales, to no avail. To ensure he wins this year, he set an alarm to wake up at 12:00 a.m as he had his sights on winning a Playstation 5, but unfortunately, he missed adding it to his cart by just a few seconds. But his determination to win paid off when he found the voucher that was sold for only ₦2,000. He described his experience as “unbelievable”. On how others could find a way to win the deals, Damilola advised that “your network must be great!”

With a record number of monthly visitors and different product categories, Jumia has continued to build the most beloved and trusted shopping destination for Nigerians and Africans as a whole by providing customers with the best online shopping experience. The company has won outstanding national and global awards like the ‘The Best New Retail Launch of the Year’ award at the 2013 World Retail Congress, eCommerce website of the year at the Beacon of ICT Awards in 2014 and most recently, the Best Buy Award, by ICERTIAS International Certification Association for providing cost-effective pricing to customers in the post- COVID-19 era.

Who else saw Davido‘s post a few days ago requesting for the sum of ₦100 million to clear his Rolls Royce from the port? Or the right question would be who did not see our dearly beloved OBO’s tweet? We need to put respect on his name!

Davido decided that he needed our money to clear his vehicle? First of all, do you understand how highly esteemed we feel to be the ones who are bankrolling one of Nigeria’s biggest superstars? Secondly, do we fully grasp how collectively we can make or break any situation across Nigeria? It was interesting to see.

Beyond the dollar and naira notes, the newfound boldness with which Twitter users began asking for money was refreshing. Why do we have to wait for birthdays to get money? This situation brings up some lessons to learn and act on, and here they are:

1. Rise By Lifting Others: In an interview with Davido with popular media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Davido explained two critical aspects of doing good -

a. David has helped a lot of people and will continue to do so. Many times it is easy to forget that the sky is big enough for all the stars to shine, helping others become successful will ultimately help you.

b. He will always be a product of the goodwill of others. That’s another great thing about helping people. It means that if you ever need help, there will be people to jump in for you.

2. We Are More Powerful Than You Think: Yes, this may sound like the beginning of a social media motivational speaker’s video, but there is actual truth in that statement. See how Nigerians flooded Twitter timelines and Instagram stories as asked friends to help Davido. We all turned this into the whirlwind it has become! Now imagine what would happen if we turned that passion and fervour into other aspects of our lives. It might not lead to over ₦150 million in our accounts, but it will get somewhere.

3. Be Smart With Money: Financial literacy is not a fancy term, it’s an important aspect of the lives of over 200 million Nigerians, whether they understand it or not.
Always be ready to make smart money choices, whether it’s a matter of crowdsourcing so as not to eat into your income, or you are using a financial service provider that is tailor-made for your needs. For instance, ALAT by Wema Bank, has savings goals, pre qualified loans and ALAT for Business which allows businesses to operate a corporate account from the comfort of their homes among others.

The tools to be smart with money are all out there, we just need to find them and use them well.

4. Be Bold Enough To Ask: This one applies across life generally. Confidence is a key aspect of getting what we need when it is needed. The fear of rejection causes many of us to shy away from what we deserve. What’s wrong with putting your account number on your status and asking for money without the fear of being seen as poor? What’s wrong with asking your boss for that raise or promotion? What’s wrong with asking your boyfriend of six years to redefine your relationship so you know where you stand so you can move on. The most likely answer to those questions is fear and rejection.

Like Davido, damn the consequences and get what you want, especially if you know you deserve it.

So, as the weekend comes around the corner, which of these are you going to kick into action? Of course, posting your account numbers is a given. Duh! But what else would you do?

1. Be Nice: Only good people get credited. If you are the ‘wicked’ person among your friends, your bank account may even decide to punish you on their behalf.

2. Open An ALAT By Wema Account: This will come in handy because you need to have an account that can withstand the wave of funds coming in. Any other bank account won’t cut it. Pele.

3. Put Your Wishlist Out: Closed mouths don’t get fed. If Davido can do it so can you. If you don’t have a wishlist do it the OBO way or you can go simple and put this on your status - ‘if my shadow and your shadow have crossed paths send me money!”

4. Call Your Friends To Contribute Money: All of your friends that would have put your picture out with ‘a king was born’ and ‘happy birthday to my day one’, call them out! Let them show you how much you mean to them in financial terms.

5. Show Appreciation: Thank everyone that sent you money so others can be encouraged to continue the good deed.

6. Pepper your enemies: How else will your enemy know that your birthday is causing alerts to ping off your phone if you don’t use screenshot updates of your ALAT credits to destroy their timeline?

We swear by the best music. We live, breathe, and exist for great music. It’s a calling that we are extremely proud of. This also means that we need to appreciate music in its purest forms – live recordings and concerts. But we cannot afford to have Burna Boy prance across our living room every time we want to listen to his hits.

So, the next best things are the music devices of choice. We want to be able to hear Arya Starr’s intake of breath, or Wiz Kid whine like he’s talking straight into our ears. Anything less will be an atrocity.

So, how do you get the right equipment? Well, thankfully Black Friday season is upon us, and that means it’s the perfect time to hunt for super deals from the comfort of our couch or bed. We are shameless like that. Because who does not want more for less while munching into shawarma? Sapa or not, we will vibe!

To help you, we have searched for the best deals available for music lovers and we are ready:

1. The Headset That Will Make You Weep:
The Sony premium WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling stereo headset is one of the best in the market, with an HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1, Bluetooth Audio SoC and a dual noise sensor. The WH-1000XM4 headphones allow you to enjoy music without distractions.


This headphone works well in every situation and adapts sound output to fit the environment. For example, Adaptive Sound Control works to reduce surrounding sounds when you’re travelling by road.


Jumia is offering 7% off every pair. *Grins*


Sony WH1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Stereo Headset – Black Available on Jumia

Original price: ₦193,000


Sales price: ₦180,000

2. The Cool Sound Speaker:
The Oraimo Sound Go 3 wireless speaker can bring that extra oomph to any space, and turn every location into a party with its high-fidelity sound and deep bass. Thanks to a lightweight design and free strip, moving around with this speaker is ridiculously easy.


Another perk? How many times have you had to replace your speaker because it suffered water damage? The Sound Go 3 is waterproof, so you can party under the sun or in the rain. (No NYSC pun intended).


Oraimo Portable Wireless Speaker Subwoofer Outdoor Sound Box Available

Original price: ₦17,422


Sales price: ₦8,300


3. The House Party In A Box:
What else beats streaming music on a weekend through your home theatre and partying right there in your living room?

Samsung’s 2.1CH Bluetooth wireless soundbar sound system is what you need to throw an in-house concert with two friends or with 50.


This powerful system delivers a combined 200W of power via a soundbar and subwoofer. And you can transform your system into a wireless surround-sound device by buying the optional Wireless Surround Sound Kit.


There is really nothing else to add….


Samsung’s 2.1CH Bluetooth Wireless Soundbar Sound System

Original Price: ₦285,000


Sales Price: ₦115,000

4. The Smart Speaker:
We probably may never tire of Alexa playing the right songs on cue. How would you prefer to use Amazon’s Echo Dot (4th Generation)? You can stream music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Siri, etc.


What more could you possibly have asked for? The speaker has a sleek, compact design that fits into small spaces. It gives you crisp vocals and balanced bass for a full sound. Really, what more do you need?


Glacier White Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Original Price: ₦42,000


Sales Price: ₦32,000


What else do you have on your wishlist that you need to get your hands on before the end-of-year rush begins?

Five Times Nigerians Decided To Take Over The News Last Week
Is it just us or the ‘gbas gbos’ on the streets of social media this month was not as terrible as the first two weeks of October? It was as though October was the month of premium breakfast chopping, with a side of generator dragging!

Still, last week gave us some moments that allowed us to lose our training for just a little bit, even one or two moments made us scatter the ground a bit.

So, here’s what we got:

1. Burna's Paris performance:
Burna boy shut down Paris! The singer’s Stockholm concert was such a hit. We may not be in the ‘obodo oyinbo’, but thank God for social media.

The videos that have been popping up online have been nothing short of aaaaaaah! Packed hall, lights everywhere, Burna owning the stage. We may be overusing the phrase, but we will say it - Naija to the world!

The videos made us go a little crazy *covers eyes*

2. Livespot X:
Livespot X’s concerts have become a highlight of how ‘detty’ December would be. When it did not happen last year, it was obvious how the end of the year would look like. COVID-19 was giving us a headache so everyone wanted to be safe.

But now that we are more tired of the pandemic, and since Nigerians are insistent that ‘odeshi’ is real, Livespot X is back and we are ready to paint everywhere. We are celebrating this year and the last, because who knows what 2022 would bring.

3. P Square almost-reunion:
When Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct PSquare duo split in 2016 we were heartbroken. How could Nigeria’s favourite twins split up without putting our feelings into consideration?

When Plantashun Boiz came together at NecLive’s gathering to celebrate Sound Sultan - 8th Wonda, some people saw the writing on the wall. We don’t know how legible that writing was because the boys are not back, exactly. But there is good news!

Anita Okoye, lawyer, social activist and entrepreneur and Paul’s wife posted a video on her Instagram page - it showed Peter taking Paul and Anita Okoye’s children out for some early Christmas shopping. To many, that video was a great step.

Then we noticed that Paul and Peter began following one another on Instagram! What God cannot do does not exist!

Are we getting a December reunion?

4. Rivers' Flood & Fishing Nets:
The rainy weather seems to have no pattern. It’s November and it’s raining cats and dogs?

Well, a video of residents who live close to Brick House, Port Harcourt, River State, surfaced last week. The residents were spotted carrying fishing nets while actually fishing in the flood.

Well, when life throws you incessant rains, find a way to fish!

5. ₦6,000 iPhone and 11:11:
November is Black Friday month, all the stores on the gram and on the actual streets would not let us hear well anymore. The best deals at break-neck prices? Cool, we have heard it all. Well, at least we thought we did.

Then we heard that a baker living in Abuja - Gara Stephanie - nabbed an iPhone 13 for ₦6,850 during Jumia’s Black Friday Sale How? Where were we when the God of this woman was sharing destinies?

Before we could cough, on Friday, Jumia Nigeria held its 11:11 deal fiesta, with various deals including an 11% discount on everything in the

Jumia store; 1,111 lucky customers were selected to win an 11% discount on vouchers bought, and 1,111 customers also got the opportunity to win ₦11,000 vouchers by purchasing on the Jumia App before 11:00 pm.

Sigh, where can we swap our destiny like this? Thankfully, the sale is on till November 30, 2021, and two phones are up for grabs this week. On Wednesday, if you are feeling lucky, you can try to win the Samsung Galaxy A22 during the Jumia treasure hunt or purchase an iPhone 12 (6GB/128GB) for ₦5,790 on Friday.

Now, would we be horrible if we pray and hope for a repeat of October with enough juicy gist for us to laugh at? We are shameless but there goes our prayer.

It’s mid-November, which means two things; detty December is close by and it’s time for the annual Black Friday sales galore. This year’s sales are extra special because it’s the first sales we are having post-COVID-19 (well, it’s post-COVID 19 in our minds) so everyone is going all out to shop for things without worrying about lockdowns or its hassles.

As you go about scouting for the best deals, there are certain people you should avoid like a plague, because their bad luck or vibes can affect the deals you may get. We compiled a list of the types of people that you need to hide from right now.

1. Slackers: These guys cannot be bothered. They don’t understand that Black Friday is a serious business. If you want to get the best deals, avoid them or they will drag you down. These are the ones that will remember Black Friday on November 26 and will ask you to chill till then. My friend, rebuke them all!

2. The Ever-ready: This set of people are always ready, especially for special deals like those on Jumia. They are logged in on their laptop, tab, and phone at the same time so they can get to the special deal of the day first. So, these people are good on their own, just move far away from them. They are the kinds that find the ₦5,000 iPhone 12 while your internet is loading right beside them. PS: You would both be using the same internet but their jazz is always on overdrive.

3. Bulk buyers: Avoid them like you avoid semo. These ones will buy seven shirts in eight colors and not leave anything for everyone else. They are the ones that bought all the Adidas Core Sneakers Grand Court Base at 59% off during the Adidas brand day yesterday and are still looking for more. Why would you want to be friends with a greedy person?

4. Smart and tricky buyers: These people and the people that reminded teachers of assignments are in the same group. They’ve been planning for this day for months, they know what they want to buy and head straight for that section. They are spending ₦365,78.97 exactly. They are that good.If you are not serious, you would even help them buy some of the things they want but have not ‘budgeted’ for. If this person is your bae or boo, just accept your fate. It’s also a good thing!

5. The ‘forgetters’: On the list of people to avoid, these people are the worst. Anytime there is a special deal, they always ‘forget’ to tell you and then come to lament on the big deal they got, when they wanted something even bigger. These ones are the generals in your enemies’ army. We hope you know.

6. Window Shoppers: These are professional stockers. Their cart is never empty but they always seem to disappear just before it’s time to checkout. Enough said...

7. Voucher Vultures: These ones have been hoarding vouchers worth hundreds of thousands of naira and best believe they are getting the best deals for next to nothing while you are trying to make sure the number of items in your cart qualifies you for free shipping. They are doing #BigDealMoments, #WhatsYourBigDeal and getting vouchers of up to ₦50,000. (#ICYMI, people are sharing their mishap moments and carting away Jumia vouchers each week)

8. People who do not believe in Black Friday: These ones no sabi better thing at all. Imagine being able to get the best deals from your favorite brands and not getting into it.

Now that you know the people to avoid, you are almost ready for Black Friday. The last step is to head over to Jumia or better still, download the Jumia App to secure the biggest and best deals, you might just be able to purchase an iphone 12 for only ₦5790. Don’t forget to share with your friends, you don’t want to end up like the people you are avoiding.

...as Naeto C’s Kini Big Deal makes a comeback

Jumia, a leading Pan African online retailer and eCommerce platform, has announced the return of its annual Black Friday sales promo in Nigeria. The event, dubbed ‘Every Day is Black Friday’ is the ninth edition of the Jumia Black Friday sales.

Jumia’s 2021 Black Friday promises to be bigger and better than the previous years, with jingles and ads already promising shoppers the best of deals. In anticipation of the annual Black Friday sales promo, Jumia released the first in an exciting series of adverts themed around hilarious mishaps and the even bigger deals on the company’s websites. The TVC features Nigerian hip-hop legend, Naeto C and also uses the singer’s 2008 hit single, Kini Big Deal, which adds a dash of nostalgia.

The ad stars a young excited woman who gets a shoddy haircut just before a big event. As she frets over the situation, the Kini Big Deal singer pops on-screen and wittily informs the woman that there is an even bigger deal than her hair mishap - Jumia’s Black Friday deals. The ad closes with highlights of some of the amazing deals to be gotten from Jumia Black Friday Sales.

Jumia, the biggest online retailer in the market, has started publicising its upcoming Black Friday month, which is scheduled to kick-start on the 5th of November and end on 30th November 2021.

So far, over 1,000 customers have taken advantage of the deals in less than nine days!

- Jumia’s Black Friday sales kicked off on November 5, 2021
- Customers have begun expecting the iPhone 13 at ₦6,850
- Black Friday Sale to end on Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Twitter users have begun looking out for deals in Jumia’s Black Friday sales, with a customer demanding the link to an iPhone 13 device that costs ​​₦6,850. On Wednesday, November 10, 2021, a customer, Real Mibanti, headed for the popular social media platform, Twitter, to request for a link to one of the most coveted deals on the e-commerce site.

Some users replied to Mibanti with the details of the iPhone deal and when it had been gifted. Others threw their hats into the ring and joined the search for the deal, while a few joined in the Twitter bants as they laughed at the search.

Mibanti’s tweet and search were a tad late, as Jumia Nigeria already announced the winners of the treasure hunt the week before. Gara Stephanie, a baker who resides in Abuja, Nigeria, got the latest iPhone, while Adegbayi Oluseyi, received a ₦200,000 voucher and one-year Jumia Prime free delivery for only ₦2,000.

Yesterday morning, the 11:11 promo kicked off with various deals including an 11% discount on everything in the Jumia store; 1,111 lucky customers were selected to win a whopping 11% discount on vouchers bought, and 1,111 customers also got the opportunity to win ₦11,000 vouchers by purchasing on the Jumia App before 11:00 pm.

Other offers and deals have been touted to continue on the site, including flash sales on select products, free shipping by brands, an additional 10% discount during weekends, dedicated offers for Jumia Prime members, and the Jumia Pay discounts (cashback or flash discount). More details can be found on Jumia’s social media handles on Instagram and Facebook.

The Macallan, an ultra-premium whisky brand, has kicked off a new campaign known as, ‘The Macallan Mastery.’

The initiative is to promote passion, excellence, craftsmanship and celebrate mastery.

The campaign was announced officially at a recent exclusive event held in Lagos, with captains of industries and whisky lovers present to grace the occasion.

The campaign announcement, amongst other things, saw the unveiling of the brand’s influencer icons, veteran photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi and fashion guru, Mai Atafo, both of whom the brand confirmed are masters of their craft and perfect representations of what the brand stands for.

Speaking on what makes the ultra-premium whisky brand a leader of the pack, the Lead Brand Ambassador, The Macallan Nigeria, Motunrayo Abiona, disclosed that brand had garnered global reputation as the world’s most valuable and luxurious spirit brand, adding that this was as a result of the brand’s dedication to mastery and craftsmanship.

She added that the brand has won several pioneering accolades from its inception in 1824 till date.

“The Macallan has achieved the highest level of mastery and recognition since it was established. Take for example, The Macallan commissioned and launched a state of the art and architectural marvel that is The Macallan distillery in Speyside, Scotland. The distillery is a statement that The Macallan has been there in the past, it’s here at this present time, and will still be here in the future for generations to come,” she added.

Asked what makes The Macallan distinct and special, Abiona explained: “It is all about our commitment to long term legacy, decision making, our signature taste, incomparable auction record, our genuine scarcity, and our creative collaborations.

“All of these allow for great storytelling and when a brand like The Macallan wants to tell a story, it does so by highlighting excellence, craftsmanship, mastery and luxury at the highest level. We have earned the right to all of these. I mean this is our DNA, this is who we are, so we must be very selective about who we collaborate with.”[b][/b]

… experts speak on technology, brand management and customer experience

Young startup founders and small business owners converged for the Talk Series organized by ALAT, Nigeria's leading digital bank on Thursday, August 26, 2021. The series themed “developing and sustaining the startups of the future,” was aimed at proffering solutions to problems faced by young startup founders and business owners in Nigeria.

The session, which is the second edition of the ALAT Talk Series held via teleconferencing application, Zoom, with Tomiwa Aladekomo, CEO of Big Cabal Media; Femi Akinfolarin, Head of Corporate Strategy, Wema Bank and Adaora Mbelu, Founder of Lumination Global Network, as speakers.

The Head, Marketing Communications and Investor Relations of Wema Bank, Funmilayo Falola, served as the moderator of the 97-minute session.

Tomiwa Aladekomo shared insights into the African technology ecosystem in Nigeria and some of the biggest challenges faced in the sector. “In developing a viable business, a wide range of expertise comes into play. If you are building a startup, mastery of the skills and an understanding of the ecosystem in which you play is critical,” he said. “Another important thing as a startup owner is to identify the problem you want to solve and provide a scalable platform for you to thrive.”

Femi Akinfolarin who heads the Corporate Strategy function at Wema Bank explained how technology can help small businesses improve customer experience. He elaborated on the importance of business strategy and development in ensuring the growth and sustainability of a business. He also highlighted how ALAT by Wema has continually supported young Nigerians through various initiatives aimed at improving their business management skills and ensuring startups have access to loans. He referenced the importance of embracing technology for customer feedback. “Technology helps small businesses in various ways by serving to provide a channel for feedback, building a multichannel approach and helping with analytics so that business owners can understand what their customers want.“

“Your brand is not your logo, it is not your ad. Startups make that mistake when starting out. The brand is the fulfilled promise your customers get from your product,” Adora Mbelu emphasized. She spoke about brand management and positioning as important elements that require deliberate and strategic efforts.

The Talk Series is one of the youth-focused initiatives developed by ALAT to support Nigerians across the country in strategy, branding, technology and other core aspects of business development.