As part of its efforts in supporting youth development and empowerment in Nigeria, ALAT by Wema, Nigeria’s first fully digital bank, has announced its sponsorship of the 26th Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) which began on Wednesday, March 16, and will run till March 27, 2022, at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba.

This edition of the NUGA games will see over 5,000 athletes from 75 accredited universities compete in 16 sporting events, across designated centres. Participants are drawn from the federal, state and private universities across the country.

Asides from sponsoring the ongoing games, ALAT also renovated the University of Lagos indoor sports centre.

Speaking on the sponsorship, Funmilayo Falola, Head, Marketing Communications & Investor Relations at Wema Bank Plc, stated that the bank is always eager to support young Nigerians.

“ALAT is honoured to be sponsoring the NUGA games. We are always looking for ways to invest in young Nigerians and sports is one of the pivotal touchpoints of Nigerian students. The NUGA games have united over 47 universities in 26 years, and we are proud to be a part of that rich youth history in Nigeria.

“ALAT focuses on being audacious, limitless, aspirational and timeless, and these young sports stars embody these values.”

ALAT has continually supported youth-oriented activities including its sports partnership with SociaLiga, the ALAT Food Challenge, Hackaholics amongst others.

Leading foods manufacturer, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc. (HFMP), has informed shareholders of its 10-year-plan to increase investment in innovative product development and advanced technology infrastructure, with continued focus on operational efficiency and local content development as the key strategic drivers for increasing shareholder value and growing market share during the next financial year.

The company reiterated its commitment to sustainable growth within the industry and the provision of affordable staple foods to Nigeria’s fast-growing population, during its 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday, October 14, 2021.

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Oba Otudeko CFR, acknowledged the complexities of the past financial year while highlighting the company’s steady growth and its focus on the future, “When the financial year 2020/2021 commenced, few could have imagined what the year had in store for the company and the world. We responded by working collaboratively towards the execution of our corporate goals, guided by clear priorities; keeping our people safe and motivated, ensuring supply of our food products to consumers across the length and breadth of the country, and caring for the communities where we operate. Despite the inevitable disruption to our business, we delivered a strong performance in very challenging circumstances.

In respect of the future, Otudeko says, “While we expect market conditions to remain tough and the effects of COVID-19 may be with us for the foreseeable future, our company has shown the capacity to withstand shocks and emerge stronger. And with consumer behaviour evolving faster than ever, we are adapting to this new reality by executing with speed in order to deliver competitive returns and meet the needs of our multiple stakeholders. We are committed to investing in the capabilities we need, the know-how and the talent to continue to create value.”

Managing Director Lanre Jaiyeola, says Honeywell Flour Mills Plc. has continued to seek innovative solutions for feeding the ever-growing Nigerian population, using affordable and easily accessible foods, while simultaneously combating inflation and rising food prices.

“In the past financial year, we achieved record production and sales volumes driven by consumer food products which also achieved record sales volume. Our investment in a new Pasta factory at Sagamu paid off greatly as we grew Pasta sales by over 40% to meet the generated demand for our Pasta products.”

The learnings from the developments in the past 12 months have encouraged the company to sharpen its focus and embark on a 10-year journey towards creating more value, “Consequently, we have commenced a 10-year evolutionary journey that will see Honeywell Flour Mills transition to become Honeywell Foods. Our aim is to offer a portfolio of food products manufactured from a wide range of raw materials drawn from local sources that offer good nutrition and contribute to a healthier and balanced life. Our aim also aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals that seeks to ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food.”

“We will continue to focus on our competitive advantage and improve our product offerings in order to exceed our consumers’ expectations while increasing market share, and delivering value to our shareholders,” he stated.

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. Increased production output, pioneering new ways of selling, developing relationships with new customers all over the country across traditional and modern trades, and more efficient operational capabilities at its factories in Apapa, Sagamu and Ikeja, were key contributing factors to the revenue increase. The company’s Operating Profit grew faster than revenue at 39%, from N5.4 billion in FY 2020 to N7.6 billion in FY 2021.

The Board recommended the payment of 7 kobo per share as dividend for the year subject to shareholders’ approval.

FY 2021 was the company’s best performing year ever revenue-wise as it crossed the 100 billion mark for the first time ever, joining an exclusive league of Nigerian companies with over 100 billion Naira annual revenue.

2020 was a rough year for most companies around the world. However, even in the middle of a global pandemic, some still managed to achieve excellent results. One of such organisations is Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, a leading food manufacturer in Nigeria. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the company generated ₦109.5 billion in revenue for the 2021 financial year, which is its highest ever.

With this enviable achievement, Honeywell joins the exclusive club of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies in Nigeria to have hit the N100 billion mark.

Here are seven lessons Nigerian businesses can learn from Honeywell Flour Mills Plc FY 2021 financial results:

1. Master the intricacies of your industry: To get the outstanding results it did, Honeywell Flour Mills put a lot of work into mastering the intricacies of the local food manufacturing sector. By figuring out how to navigate industry problems ranging from logistics challenges to high production costs, the company was able to develop the required solutions.

The company’s understanding of the market contributed to its increased profit after-tax figure, up 73% in 2021.

2. Study your customers’ needs and meet them: Last year, the pandemic restricted movement across the country, which meant many people had to rely on staple foods with longer shelf life, like noodles and pasta. Recognising the needs of their customers, Honeywell Flour Mills had focused on increased production capacity at its factories.

This decision paid off with its new world-class pasta factory in Sagamu, Ogun State, increasing pasta sales by 42%. The products from this factory alone contributed over ₦19 billion to the company’s overall revenue. The factories in Apapa and Ikeja generated over ₦90 billion.



3. Invest in human capital: Despite the pandemic, Honeywell’s factories employed more people in the year ended March 31, 2021, than in the previous year. More good hands mean more products. More products mean more sales.



4. Make well-being of employees a priority: During the heat of the pandemic, Honeywell Flour Mills made sure to prioritise its employees’ health and safety. The company took measures to minimise the risk of contamination and ensured its products were manufactured with strict hygienic standards.

Its facilities constantly underwent deep cleaning, disinfection procedures, and fumigation exercises. The employees received personal hygiene and PPE items. They also practised social distancing and were continually sensitised about the situation.

By keeping the staff safe, the company was able to keep operations running smoothly, which then had a positive impact on its financial results.


5. Focus on operational efficiency: By constantly seeking to improve operational efficiency and deploying smart cost optimisation strategies, the company cut down its selling and distribution expenses by 8%.


6. Take advantage of modern technological solutions: Last year, the company made some bold investments in technology by upgrading its Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP) and comprehensively computerising its internal business processes, systems, and procedures.

These changes helped with growth, efficiency and cost-saving, all of which positively affected the company’s financial results.


7. Get your product as close to consumers as possible: Honeywell prioritised retail distribution and product penetration which made it easy for consumers to access their products all over Nigeria and this had a positive impact on product availability. Improving product availability to consumers, which is a key success factor for the business-to-consumer trade helped the company hit its ₦100 billion revenue mark, the highest ever in its 23-year history.

Despite the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc recorded some of the best growth in its history in the last year. Its revenue grew by over 36%, from ₦80.45 billion in 2019 to ₦109.59 billion in 2020. Its profit after tax also increased by 73.1%.


Lanre Jaiyeola, the Managing Director of Honeywell Flour Mills, Plc., has said that this remarkable growth is down to the sheer grit and doggedness of the company's workforce. He also credited collaborative effort, improved production and cost optimisation, and guidance provided by a clear strategy and common purpose.


Honeywell Flour Mills also managed to keep down its selling and distribution expenses. This resulted in a 39.1% increase in the company's operating profit.


Given the peculiar circumstances that surrounded the pandemic, Honeywell Flour Mills had to increase production to match market demand. This led to the company achieving high single-digit sales volume growth.


According to Jaiyeola, the consumer foods category was a significant contributor to the increased volume growth, up 26% from the previous year. Pasta was a major driver in this category, growing 40% from the previous year and heavily influenced by the increased production capacity from the company’s Sagamu factory. Although barely two years old, this factory contributed more than 17% to total revenue. Its ball food category (Semolina and wheat meal) also contributed double-digit growth at over 20%.


By focusing on staple foods, Honeywell displayed its understanding of market dynamics and ability to rise to any occasion. The pandemic came with movement restrictions and led to consumer behaviour changes. During the lockdown, for example, people needed to invest more in foods with longer shelf life. Honeywell’s Pasta, Noodles, Wheat meal and Semolina perfectly meet this criterion. Its other products such as Bread Flour, also meet the requirements. This way, the company was already well-positioned to meet people’s needs and ramp up production to meet the demand.


Honeywell Flour Mills also showed an understanding of how price sensitive the market is. However, the increase in the cost of raw materials, wheat, and packaging materials warranted a proportional increase in the price of some products. In addition to all these, the pandemic also impacted global trade and the world economy. Nevertheless, the rise in the price of wheat-based products was even less than the increase in the price of carbohydrates like yam, rice, cassava and other staple foods that Nigerians love. This means that flour milling companies like Honeywell did not entirely pass on the cost of production to consumers.


Finally, Honeywell Flour Mills’ focus on the capacity, strength and welfare of its workforce impacted its record growth. The company increased staff strength by 1.6% and took on an additional 12% in employee costs. Again, this is typified by the growth of its Sagamu plant, which now directly employs about 450 people with 1,000 more indirectly engaged in and around the community

Nigeria’s leading hygiene brand, Dettol, announced its partnership with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday, June 17, 2021, at an unveiling ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria. This is ahead of the Eagles’ preparations for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the Qatar World Cup tournament in 2022.
With this landmark deal, the health giant has been named the ‘Official Hygiene Partner of the Super Eagles’. Dettol will ensure the protection and well-being of the Super Eagles’ to enable some of the country’s finest football players to put their best foot forward during both tournaments. Dettol will also work closely with NFF to provide hygiene support for the audience and football fans of Nigeria.
“Every year, the Super Eagles fly Nigeria’s flag high on the continental and global football stage. Behind every kick of the ball, every goal, every celebration is the spirit of over 200 million people willing on their team,” said Akbar Ali Shah, the General Manager of Reckitt, Sub-Saharan Africa at the ceremony. “We understand the need to prioritize hygiene and health with the same fervour. A vital part of healthy living is good hygiene, and no other brand in Nigeria epitomizes this like Dettol. For over 50 years, Dettol has helped to protect Nigerian lives and reduce the burden of illnesses.”
Akbar Ali Shah continued, “Dettol will provide hygienic protection for the Super Eagles during their pre and post-match activities as it already does in several Nigerian homes. It will keep the players in good health, powering them on their quest to entertain Nigerians and bring home the 2021 African Cup of Nations and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Not only that, Dettol will also work hand in hand with NFF to provide hygiene support for the football fans of Nigeria.”
Reacting, the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, said: “Our national team is poised not only to take on the best in the game but to remain on top. But this laudable feat would be unachievable if their health is compromised. We value Dettol’s critical support, especially in this pandemic era when everyone is encouraged to prioritise their health and safety.”
Dettol is leveraging Nigerians’ love for football to raise their health consciousness and to convert the hygienic practices into habits. During the pandemic, Dettol took the leadership in driving hygiene awareness amongst Nigerians. With the same commitment, Reckitt now extends its efforts towards protecting the Super Eagles and its fans, and towards bringing the football back to normalcy with due hygiene protection.

Reckitt, the manufacturer of Dettol, is a global leading consumer health and hygiene company. Driven by the purpose to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner and healthier world, Reckitt has brands present in nearly 200 countries. Reckitt is committed to providing quality brands that will continue to enrich the lives of consumers.

Reckitt (formerly Reckitt Benckiser), the British based leading multinational, & the makers of world-renowned brands like Dettol, Harpic, Mortein, Durex etc has announced the appointment of Akbar Ali Shah as the new General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa cluster (SSA) as well as the new Chief Executive Officer for Reckitt Nigeria.


Akbar's appointment follows the company's global rebranding as part of its ongoing journey of transformation towards rejuvenating sustainable growth. In his capacity as General Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa cluster, he will oversee Reckitt’s business in West & East African countries, namely Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania based out of Lagos.


With over 19 years of work experience in the FMCG sector and over 16 years working with Reckitt, Akbar brings a wealth of knowledge and industry expertise to his new role as General Manager, SSA.


Since joining Reckitt in 2005, Akbar has held various leadership roles including Country Manager, Pakistan Country Manager, KSA, Sales Director, Regional Head of Trade Marketing in the Middle East Region, Business Development Manager Emerging Markets in North Africa and Commercial Director in Iran to mention a few.

Akbar’s appointment as the new General Manager will play an integral role in the continual success of Reckitt within the African region and steer the company towards living its purpose and providing transformation in hygiene awareness, access to its products and achievement as they aim for the pursuit of a cleaner and healthier world.

Commenting on his appointment, Akbar Ali Shah said, “Reckitt is a leading multinational company that produces the world’s most trusted hygiene and health brands. Here at Reckitt, we understand the role we play in the hygiene space and we are committed to helping everyone take the best possible care of the world we all share. We work with relentless energy and innovation to make the best possible products to protect, heal and nurture the millions of people who put their trust in our products.”

“I am humbled to continue to play a critical role at Reckitt, a company that strives to contribute to the growth, development and sustainability of the world we live in, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where I believe I will be able to contribute my quota to achieve the overall goal of the company.”

According to the company, Akbar's appointment is also set to increase the company’s customer portfolio by developing its purpose-led brands and driving consumer-centric and digital innovation. In addition to this, the new General Manager is also saddled with the responsibility of directly driving business relationship management and developing strategies to increase the market share of Reckitt in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

At this late stage in the pandemic, we’re sure that the COVID-19 doubters have gone silent – with all the survivor stories we’ve heard, it’s very clear that COVID is 100% real, it’s no joke, and it can be a harrowing experience. Surviving a virus that has taken the lives of 2, 000 Nigerians since its outbreak and more than two million people all over the world is a testimony.

We got five Nigerians who contracted the virus to share their experiences, and we’ve been shivering since.

1. Oreoluwa Sowemimo, a 22-year-old graduate of Covenant University
Towards the end of 2020, she enrolled in a driving school to take advantage of her free time. She says, “I came back home one day from driving school and noticed that I couldn’t taste or smell anything. It was two days until Christmas.”
She spent Christmas cooped up in her room alone and sick. She was in isolation and on medication for almost two weeks before she even got tested, as no centres were open during the holidays.

“Of course when I did the COVID-19 test, the result was positive. As we know, COVID affects people differently. Some people contract the virus and are asymptomatic. I wasn’t. I got very sick. I had body pains, I was weak, and I couldn’t keep food down. It was really terrible.”

2. Professor Tinu Agunloye, staff at the Radiology Department, University College Hospital (UCH)
Agunloye says, “2020 was an emotional year for everyone, but especially for health workers. At a time when everyone was ushered in and away from the virus, we had to go to work, to fight the virus. It was definitely challenging.”

“Here at UCH, we have treated 900 COVID patients and 400 of them were members of staff. We are at a lot of risk. We are closer to the virus!” the professor shared.

She narrates the experience of a colleague who also had COVID. “A colleague of mine had COVID but he was asymptomatic. He was fine. His wife, on the other hand, was asthmatic. She got the virus from him and became very ill. She didn’t survive.”

UCH has been supplied with nearly 50,000 items of Personal Protective Equipment, including scrubs, gowns, face shields, head covers and shoe covers from an initiative called Project SafeUp.

3. Nafisat Atiku, a 27-year-old from Abuja
She contracted the virus from a colleague at work who didn’t know she already had the virus.

Narrating her experience with COVID, Nafisat says, “I woke up one day with severe pains in my legs. I felt weak and light-headed. It was really terrible. Even after I recovered from COVID I still have occasional chest pains.”

4. Kolade Johnson, a Health Administrator and HR Professional
He got exposed to the virus in March 2020, when a patient with flu-like symptoms was admitted into the hospital where he worked. The patient did not disclose that she just returned to the country and might have contracted COVID.

By the time it was discovered that the patient indeed had COVID, it was too late — some hospital staff already contracted the virus, including Kolade Johnson.

“My wife has underlying health conditions. My children are young, I was worried about exposing them to the virus,” he says. He tested positive for COVID six times between April and July even though he was already feeling better by April, and had to isolate all through!

Now fully recovered, Kayode doesn’t take the virus lightly. “We use our face masks regularly, we steam frequently, we maintain social distancing. The virus is serious, but we can defeat it if we maintain basic hygiene practices”, he says.

5. Ivuoma Tom, Registered Nurse
For Ivuoma (real name withheld), a frontline health worker, COVID was not a walk in the park. She suffered severe symptoms that nearly killed her. “The worst part of the sickness was my inability to breathe.” A common symptom of the COVID-19 infection is shortness of breath, as the virus attacks the lungs.
“I wasn’t getting enough oxygen. I had very bad palpitations and my heart was always pounding. It was hell!”

But that was not all. “My legs began to swell. I couldn’t walk for almost five days. It was five days of depression,” she added. Ivuoma is back at work as a health worker, but it was a long road to recovery for her.

Even with COVID vaccines already being dispensed, we need to remain alert and cautious. Scientists say that it is still possible to contract and infect others with COVID-19 after getting vaccinated. So, we need to observe the same protective practices — wearing our masks and washing our hands regularly.

Have you taken a jab of the vaccine? How do you feel? Or are you #TeamNoVaccine? What has got you bothered? Join the conversation with #SafeUp on Twitter and Instagram.

Project Safe Up is an initiative developed by My World of Bags, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, to produce and distribute free personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, face shields, gowns, shoe covers, and head covers to the general public and health workers in Oyo, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti, amongst others. Visit www.myworldofbags.com or send an email to safeupng@gmail.com or call 0708 928 7992.

The nature of pandemics, as we’ve seen throughout history, is that between its onset and its containment, there is a constant fluctuation - sudden dips and sudden spikes in cases, and government responses and reactions; the only constant is the permanent state of uncertainty in which nations and their citizens live. Certainly, we can all agree, the COVID-19 pandemic has been no different.

One year after the pandemic came into full effect, by March 2021, with a second wave and multiple strains of the virus under our belts, the world had recorded a total of over 124 million cases and 2.7 million deaths. The point at which we currently find ourselves, however, is nearing the end of this long and dark tunnel. For starters, vaccines are being rolled out in 41 countries — the United Kingdom was the first country in the world to kick off the administration of vaccines to its citizens in December 2020, followed by countries like South Africa, Germany, Canada, the United States, and more recently, Nigeria.

Now, case rates are dropping; lockdowns have been lifted; and the world is returning to a semblance of normalcy - pesky face masks included. Yet, there is a lot of doubt as to whether we truly are coming out of the pandemic, and if so, how this end and its aftermath will likely play out. The answer, I believe, lies in how we got here in the first place.

The Onset

It wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that much of the world was in a state of disconnect when the coronavirus first emerged in December 2019, in Wuhan, China. That quickly changed: by January, Japan reported its first case, followed closely by the Republic of Korea, Vietnam, and Singapore. By the end of March 2020, 114 countries had reported a total of 118,000 cases and over 4,000 deaths - the situation had devolved into a full blown pandemic.

In Nigeria, despite the initial skepticism around COVID-19, the first case was confirmed on the 27th of February 2020 in Lagos State — patient X, an individual from Italy who had potentially come in contact with no less than 200 individuals. Within the next three months, things escalated rapidly, as we recorded a grim milestone - 10,000 cases, and nearly 300 deaths. In hindsight, as many health professionals have stipulated, it is higher than likely that the spread of the virus to the rest of the world began much earlier than January 2020. And that highlights the first error made by our world leaders - detachment.

Globalisation has made it such that countries are much more connected than they ever were in the history of the world. Cross-border business relationships and mass migration have made it such that economic trends, as well as environmental and socio-cultural developments in one country, amongst other factors, now have ripple effects that have the potential to impact citizens in completely different hemispheres. Thus, a fast-spreading virus in a region in China - the world’s most populous nation and one of the world’s leading business hubs - is inevitably bound to have far-reaching effects. The scale of the pandemic and its rapid spread, was birthed in the limited response to that initial development.

The Side Effects

In the throes of the pandemic, as countries began to lock down to curb the spread of the virus amongst citizens on their shores, industries suffered enormously. For starters, there was the aviation industry - from the mass grounding of air traffic to border closures and shelter-in-place policies across the globe, airlines have lost a significant amount of income. Moreover, reports show that one-third of the world’s 50,000 air routes were lost to the pandemic, and while new local routes have been introduced, the margins are much lower.

The food and entertainment industry has also seen significant drops in profit margins due to restaurant, theatre, and cinema closures; despite the increased patronage of farm-to-table suppliers, and video-on-demand services, many brick-and-mortar establishments haven’t had a single walk-in customer for a full year and have had to rely on government support, particularly in developing countries. The sports industry saw its biggest blow with the cancellation of the Summer 2020 Olympics and the restriction of spectators at matches and games.

In Nigeria, the informal economy which is vast and encompasses a host of activities ranging from agriculture, food production, transportation, and accommodation, amongst others saw a significant reduction in patronage, particularly at the onset of the pandemic. Data from a Centre for Financial Inclusion (CFI) survey of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Lagos revealed declines in the number of operating businesses, profits, and employment - specifically, about 9% of businesses have closed since the pandemic started in Nigeria. The mass shutdown of businesses consequently brought down employment by 51%. Furthermore, the Nigerian Stock Market was affected as a result of the decisions of investors to pull out their investments into safe havens like US treasury bonds. By March 2021, the country’s inflation rate had hit 17% from 16.47% in January of the same year; national unemployment rates went up to 8.39% from 8.1% in 2019.

Yet, despite - and perhaps, because of - the times we found ourselves in, businesses and individuals alike were forced to identify new ways to exist and to thrive. In an article published by the Lagos Business School (LBS), they described how many tailors that jettisoned their product focus to start producing medical and non- medical PPE. This is similar to the foundation on which Project SafeUp was built. An initiative borne of a partnership between my organisation, My World Of Bags (MWOB), and Mastercard Foundation, SafeUp began to produce and distribute personal protective equipment to hospitals, NGOs, schools, markets, and large swathes of the general public in late 2020. With a 2.5 million item target, this initiative was designed to curb the spread of the virus by encouraging and sensitising Nigerians on the importance of non-medical solutions like PPE. Considering the dire state of our healthcare system, and as the vaccine remains mired in skepticism and in limited availability in many developing countries, the use of PPE is potentially our least costly and most sustainable long-term solution.

Looking ahead

The global challenge of a sufficient investment in healthcare industries will need to be tackled intensively and consistently. Many countries struggled under the weight of limited infrastructure to manage the pandemic - even in developing countries. How much more in Nigeria where our primary problem is the availability of doctors? The realisation of the importance of our healthcare sectors - albeit late - is necessary for our ability to navigate future pandemics, which according to scientists, is potentially inevitable. In Nigeria, that task is significantly more mountainous, as we struggle with access to decent healthcare for all segments of society, talk less of those at the bottom of the pyramid.

Beyond the financial investment, there is a desperate need for up-skilling. The rollout of vaccines at home is certainly a decent start. Training our primary healthcare providers effectively to administer the right education and healthcare management to their communities, alongside the vaccines will inevitably begin to solidify a foundation for basic healthcare access. Truthfully, reports show that over half our nation lives beneath the poverty line, but in truth, when it comes to healthcare, nearly 100% of us are poorly-positioned for the healthcare access we need.

Most of all, as with the onset of the virus, the risk - and the pandemic - remains for as long as the virus remains present in any single country on our planet. Thus, the question of how we proceed into the aftermath must be answered and addressed as collectively as possible. Vaccine access goes beyond handouts - it involves empowering local manufacturers and scientists, and provides a means to create additional income sources that keep developing countries from a consistent reliance on the West for salvation. The fact is, until a broader means of creating access is adopted, this vaccine ‘scarcity’ will remain prevalent. A prevalence of vaccines in the United States or in Germany or even Nigeria while numerous other African and Latin American countries remain seeking will not be solved by banning travel from country X or Y, because inevitably, the spread will drift into other countries, and we will be right back where we were in February 2020 - completely in the dark, without even knowing it.

Sinmi Olayebi, is the Director of Social Programs at My World of Bags/FemiHandbags.

Hey, ladies, the year is still young, and there is so much to achieve in 2021. You probably have your 10-step plan for the year, but to accomplish your goals, you need all the right power tools to do so.

1. Slay Your Health: One important thing you should not forget is that health is wealth. Amid a pandemic, you must be in tiptop shape all the time. Make fruit and vegetable smoothies a part of your diet. With different combinations and variations, you will never get bored with what is in your bottle. It is a fun way to keep you energized and healthy.

2. Plan A ‘Babe-cation’: Plan a vacation with the girls. Once in a while, you need to get away from all the hustle and bustle of being an adult. Schedule some time off so you can recharge and be ready to take on the world. It is even better now that the world is digital through banking apps like ALAT, so you can easily book a travel tour, pay for your flight and organize trips with the girls, all from your favourite couch in the living room.

3. Plan Your Money: When money enter life is sweeter. Yes, health is wealth, and money is material, but we all know that money makes the world go round, properly! You need to get your finances right and invest well. Thankfully, an app like ALAT can spin many ways. They have a savings challenge and money cheat sheet that can help you reassess your current standing. https://www.alat.ng/alat-life/2021-savings-challenge-money-cheat-sheet-and-more
ALAT has this feature called Stash — a way to earn up to 7% interest on your savings without a limit on your withdrawals, a target amount to save or a time limit. Once you’ve created a Stash, you can add any amount of money to it whenever. To earn interest on stashed money, you can only withdraw from your Stash after 30 days.

4. Retail Therapy: Nothing says power booster like shopping. There is something pleasant about buying new clothes, shoes, or bags that releases happy hormones and alleviates stress. You can shop in online stores and pay conveniently online. Click, click, and your clothes are at your doorstep.

5. The Big O: You can't forget the ultimate 'guaranteed to make you energized' booster - the big O. Yes, ladies, getting that orgasm is a sure-fire way to release tension and stress of the week.

6. Pack In All That You LoveThere are other pleasurable acts that you can indulge. You can read a good book, eat your favourite snacks or take a nice warm bath. Anything that gets you relaxed because 'problem no dey finish' as they say.So, kick back, girl, you deserve to live your best life!

“I was not bothered about myself. It was my family — my three young children and my wife — that I was worried about. My wife has an underlying illness and I didn’t know what I was going to do if she caught the virus,” said Johnson Kayode Kolade, a 42-year-old father living at Ifako-Ijaiye in Lagos, as he recollected the harrowing two weeks of his life which had him battling the COVID-19 virus.

Kayode is a Health Administrator and HR Professional at a popular hospital in Lagos. In March 2020, a young woman was admitted into the hospital after complaining of "simple" flu-like symptoms. She did not reveal that she had just returned from the UK, and could have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Kayode and the rest of the medical staff on duty carried on with their day jobs as usual. If only they knew.

When the woman’s state of health quickly deteriorated despite all medical interventions, she revealed the information that set the hospital on high-alert mode. State health authorities were informed and the hospital’s doctors and nurses were quarantined. Unfortunately, one of the nurses on duty had been infected and soon the virus spread.

Soon after, Kayode and two other colleagues noticed that their throats were sore, but they dismissed this as mild irritations. A day later, Kayode had severe headaches and admitted to feeling extremely fatigued. By the third day, he was exhibiting symptoms that hinted at malaria: high fever and body ache. He promptly attempted to treat it, and he started getting stronger. But the recovery was short-lived. The excruciating pain all over his body intensified, and his itchy throat had metamorphosed into a serious cough.

One morning, when he realised that he could barely move his body, he figured he could have been infected with the virus. His first instinct - “protect my family” - forced him to isolate himself on the balcony of his apartment.

Within that first week, he lost a lot of weight, could barely eat and was hit with a strong wave of nausea. In spite of the gruelling changes his body went through in such a short period, watching his children through the balcony of his house was the most painful part of the experience.

“They would press their faces to the bars of the balcony and call my name. They couldn’t understand why they could see their father, but were not allowed to come to me or touch me. It was confusing for them. It was painful to watch.”

Thankfully, the experience is over for the family.

“When I fell ill, there were no tests. So, I had to take care of myself. I got a positive result 16 days afterwards, and by that time I had already isolated myself and was treating it.”

Kayode was tested six times between April and July, and the results returned positive every time, until the very last test. It took him about a month to get back to his former self.

When he was asked about his treatment process, Kayode said he used everything. He did not take any chances; once he suspected he had the virus, he purchased the treatment that was in popular use at the time in Nigeria, hydroxychloroquine, which cost N3,500. By the next day, when the family tried to purchase the same medicine, the price had skyrocketed to N18,000 per pack! In the end, it cost nearly N200,000 to treat the family.

“People should accept the reality that COVID exists. If we can only pay attention to some basic hygiene procedures, COVID can be handled. Wash your hands properly, cover your nose with a face mask and when you get home, bathe and clean up before touching anything or anyone in the house,” Kayode warned.

He believes that avoiding crowded environments can help. “And most importantly, do not stay around people who do not believe that COVID exists, because they will expose you to more danger,” he warns with a grim look.
Thankfully, Project SafeUp — an initiative developed by My World of Bags, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation — has been producing and distributing PPE and safety items to the general public and health workers in Oyo, Lagos, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti, since November 2020.
The project is going a step further to enlighten the public on the importance of staying cautious by highlighting the true stories of Nigerian COVID-survivors; the impact on their families and communities; and the aftermath of surviving a pandemic that has killed over 2.5 million people across the world.
You can visit www.myworldofbags.com (https://www.myworldofbags.com/) or call 0708 928 7992 or e-mail safeupng@gmail.com for more information about this project.
Are you a COVID survivor, or do you know of any survivors? Join the conversation on #ProjectSafeUp on Twitter and Instagram

ID Africa, owners of Netng and producers of Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NECLive), confirmed today that the eighth edition of the annual conference will hold on Sunday, April 25, 2021.

NECLive - the premier and largest gathering of entertainment industry professionals in Nigeria - will return as a hybrid media event combining a studio set-up of select speakers with live global broadcast across cable TV, radio and online platforms.

On April 25, 2021, NECLive8 will explore the theme: “Building The Future”, through the exploration of actionable steps and solutions proffered by some of Nigeria’s most brilliant professionals and accomplished entertainment industry stakeholders. The conference will focus on various ways of using entertainment as a vehicle, creativity as a tool and celebrity power as an agent of change to build a remarkable future for Nigeria’s youth.

NECLive8 will feature three main speakers who are leading the charge in rethinking the approach to consumer entertainment and creative enterprise across the world.

The event will be punctuated with live music by one of Nigeria’s most celebrated artistes, an enthralling live stage drama and comedy from one of the industry’s finest. NECLive8 will also include product unveilings, brand announcements and industry tributes. The studio audience will be made up of limited invited guests, while millions of viewers across the world will interact with the conference through the official digital channels.

NECLive Convener, Ayeni Adekunle says, “We set up NECLive eight years ago as an intervention towards building the industry of our dreams. Seven events, 450 speakers and panellists, 40 exhibitions and brands, and 12,000 attendees after, we are glad to be witnessing and facilitating the transformation of our home entertainment; or our music and media. And we are calling on the government, practitioners, fans and investors to come to the party.”

According to organisers, this year will also mark the launch of a new programme called NECLive Go! – a platform created to support innovators that are solving growth problems for creatives and the wider entertainment industry in Nigeria. Through NECLive Go!, innovators and entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas to investors and get the support they need to start or scale their products.

During NECLive8, ID Africa will also premier the NECLive TV Special, a scripted 90-minute long production, featuring a 7-year chronicle of the most powerful speakers and memorable moments from the NECLive stage between 2013 and 2020. The documentary-style production which will contain new, original recordings, archival materials and never-before-seen footage will broadcast live on TV and also stream online.

According to Femi Falodun, CEO, ID Africa, “Nigeria’s entertainment industry is full of energetic, enterprising and creative young people who are often the direct victims of poor governance, lack of opportunities and social injustice. They have also recently emerged as the leaders of a new national movement and drivers of an ongoing conversation about the future of our country.

“Our goal with NECLive8 is to provide the tools, resources and connections that will further drive the change and innovation that the industry is yearning for.”

Following a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisers expect that this hybrid edition will reach over 20 million people watching on TV, listening on radio and streaming live via Neusroom, Netng, as well as on NECLive’s Youtube, Facebook and other digital channels.

Interested parties can visit nec.ng or contact info@nec.ng or Anu - 234 701 024 0044 or Henry - 234 803 788 1838 for sponsorship enquiries

Cars45, Nigeria's leading tech-enabled automotive trading platform and Asharami Synergy, a Sahara Group Downstream Company have announced a partnership to deepen transparency and increase consumer satisfaction in Nigeria's automotive industry. The partnership leverages Asharami’s gold standard in safety, reliability and top-quality products - superior monograde & multi-grade lubricants and Cars45's best-in-class services across the automotive value chain (buy, sell, swap, repairs, franchise dealership and financing) to deliver value to individuals and corporate clients.

Speaking on the nature of the partnership, Beatrice Teluwo, Lubricant Sales and Marketing, Asharami Synergy noted that "in a market contending with quackery, we launched the Asha Lube series to safeguard and optimize the performance of engines. It is heartwarming to note that all classes of lube consumers are embracing the top performance and peace of mind our Asha lubricants give with respect to all manner of engines in generators, light and heavy-duty machines, cars, trucks, motorcycles. We are confident that our alliance with Cars45 would provide the necessary fillip to enhance service experience for consumers and the public at large.”

Femi Folarin, Head, Franchise Dealership and Network Development said, “at Cars45, we are very passionate about building relationships and synergies that will grow and develop the auto industry and benefit the consumer as well. This partnership is testament to this commitment and also reinforces the premium we place on delivering value across the automotive ecosystem. Considering our market maker position, we will continue to drive the delivery of solutions that address the most common challenges in the market."

"Consumers are seeking pocket-friendly, safe, durable, affordable and high performing lubricants that provide a huge dose of “peace of mind”. We are empowering vehicle owners achieve more with our lubricants because we uphold the philosophy of getting value for money. We are also leveraging our pedigree to reposition the automotive space for a greater level of transparency, corporate citizenship and competitiveness," said Oluwaseun Yussuf, Head Sales and Marketing Lubricants, Asharami Synergy.

Furthermore, Pankaj Bohra, Head, Retail and Technical Operations, Cars45 expressed delight that the relationship has begun to yield very positive dividends. “We have begun to receive great feedback from our retail and technical operations teams. As such we are excited about this relationship between Asharami Synergy and Cars45. Both our organizations share the values of affordability, transparency, quality, and safety therefore, we believe strongly that consumers will get the very best under this partnership."

A Nigerian new media organisation, Neusroom, in partnership with marketing technology company, Plaqad, has published the results of an independent online survey polling 7,000 young Nigerians.

The poll reached over 420,000 people across different platforms, garnered about 7,000 responses, was shared over 3000 times, and accumulated more than 17,000 engagements.

Femi Falodun, CEO of ID Africa (owners of Neusroom and Netng), said “Beyond the protests and activism, it became apparent that there was the need to investigate and fully understand the nature and type of political leadership that Nigeria’s young citizens yearn for. This was what inspired the Neusroom team to produce this report.”

The results of the poll were published on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, on Neusroom.com (https://neusroom.com/how-young-nigerians-feel-about-political-leaders-in-nigeria/) and across its social media channels. It revealed a high distrust among young people for the older generation, and a majority of young Nigerians frowned at the prospect of anyone older than 45 years old holding any public office. 70% of respondents said they will vote for Falz as Nigeria’s president, while a majority of the respondents also voted human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, 47, as the ‘Most Influential Young Nigerian’.

Furthermore, the poll revealed that Nigeria is better served with Pastor Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Center, former Governor Peter Obi and former Presidential candidate Dr Oby Ezekwesili acting as the bridge between young Nigerians and their older compatriots.

Following the outcome of the poll, Gbenga Sogbaike, CEO of Plaqad, said greater participation of young Nigerians should be expected in the next general election because they now recognise the power they have and will deploy it in the coming elections.

He said: “Would we see a sweeping change? Maybe not. However, I believe Nigerian youths will be more responsive in matters relating to how their public office holders are selected going forward.”

Project SafeUp, an initiative created by My World of Bags (MWOB), a bag design and manufacturing company, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, has produced and distributed over 100,000 items of free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in four weeks. The PPE includes reusable non-surgical masks, face shields, gowns, scrubs, shoe covers and head covers. So far, these have been distributed in Lagos, Oyo and Ekiti States.

The initiative, which commenced in November 2020, is a joint effort to promote health and safety among Nigerians amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Following the outbreak of Coronavirus in Nigeria, MWOB retooled its factory to focus on the production of PPE and established key partnerships with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the country. Project SafeUp aims to produce and distribute over 2.5 million within five months.

Sinmi Olayebi, Director of Social Programs, My World of Bags/FemiHandbags, reiterated the need for increased safety measures as the country, “Amidst this second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, a collaborative effort from citizens, private sector organisations and relevant government bodies, is critical to stemming this tide. Protecting ourselves and loved ones with the use of the appropriate PPE; the adoption of strict social distancing measures; and regular hand washing, even as we celebrate the holiday festivities, is a priority.

“Project SafeUp is committed to becoming an effective driving force in improving access to PPE for as many Nigerians as possible, and to providing the sensitisation required to ensure the continued use and adoption of the necessary safety measures. We hope that our efforts and contributions over the coming months can play a role in curbing the spread of the coronavirus in Nigeria.”

On Thursday, December 17, 2020, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) registered the highest-ever infections recorded in one day since COVID-19 broke out in Nigeria - 1,145. There have been over 80,000 confirmed cases and over 1, 200 COVID-related deaths in the country since February. The World Health Organisation reports that there have been over 79 million confirmed cases and over 1.7 million deaths across the world.

The end of this long year is approaching, and COVID-19 is still very much present; the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide is well over 72 million — and counting! Over 73,100 of those cases have been diagnosed in Nigeria, with over 24,000 in Lagos alone! On Thursday, December 11, 2020, Nigeria recorded its highest number of confirmed cases in a single day - 796!
But, if you walk through the streets of Lagos, or any state in Nigeria, you may wonder if this is the same state place with all those high figures. Parties are waxing stronger, hugging has resumed with full gusto, and people seem to have forgotten what a mask is.  Wow!

So, just in case you forgot, here are five reasons why we must remember that we are in the middle of a pandemic and we STILL need to be vigilant and remain protected against COVID-19:

1. COVID-19 Can Kill: 
Just in case the numbers have evaded you, over 1,000 people in Nigeria have died due to complications from the COVID-19 virus since March. Yes, it may seem small in comparison to other countries with higher case figures, but one death is one too many. These were people’s loved ones — mothers, fathers, aunts, children, grandparents. So, we need to be smart and remember that the virus can and does kill. The best way to prevent this is to not to contract it in the first place.


2. Ignoring Will Not Help:
Simply ignoring a problem will not make the problem go away. We need to gear up, literally, to fight against this virus that threatens our lives and those we love. Coronavirus is extremely real and poses a great risk, you can only protect yourselves by making sure you wear masks and face shields constantly; maintaining social distancing at all times; avoiding large crowds and gatherings; and washing your hands as often as possible.


3. E No Dey Show For Face: 
If we must break it down to pidgin, then we shall. 

Not everyone who contracts the virus is symptomatic — which means that some people may contract the virus and not exhibit the telltale signs of cough, fever, fatigue, etc. So, between contracting the virus and falling ill, these people can potentially infect multitudes! 


4. Post-COVID Survival Is A Struggle:
Yes, some COVID-19 survivors return to ‘normal life’. Yet, many are left with long-lasting symptoms and health problems. There have been studies that show that some COVID-19 survivors have abnormal lung functions up to three months after discharge. Do you really want to gamble with your life?


5. There Is Free PPE Available: 
Taiwan has connected one of the reasons behind its relatively low COVID spread to the use of PPE materials.

In January,  after Taiwan contacted the World Health Organization (WHO) and received no guidance, the country began acting with speed. It banned travellers from infected areas, began mass-manufacturing PPE, and created a highly accurate diagnostic test.


Here in Nigeria, My World of Bags — in partnership with Mastercard Foundation — has launched Project SafeUp, an initiative that plans to provide 2.5 million PPE items, including reusable masks, face shields, gowns, shoe covers and head covers, to medical professionals and the general public. They will distribute all produced PPE free-of-charge in Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, Lagos and Osun states until March 2021.

So, you need to do all you can to stay safe, so that next year, when we are popping champagne because global COVID cases have stayed at zero for a whole month, you will be joining in on the celebration, and not receiving a candlelight tribute.

Be safe!
https://www.myworldofbags.com/

In furtherance of building institutional and individual capacity for Nigerian journalists, Nigeria’s leading tech-enabled automotive trading platform, Cars45 served as a key sponsor of the 5th edition of the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) training/workshop, which was held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Airport Road, Lagos, on Saturday, December 12, 2020.

Since its first edition in 2015, NAJA has focused on the training of its members in trends and perspectives within the automotive industry, and how to explore the new frontiers of storytelling.

This year’s training with the theme, the role of Nigeria’s automotive journalists in Nigeria’s amid Covid-19 era provided a platform for examining issues around new storytelling formats, data and analytics as well as the optimum utilisation of social media for news reportage in the digital era.

Speaking at the training, PR and Communications Manager, Cars45, Bemigho Awala reminded journalists of the power they wield in shaping conversations, setting the agenda while stressing on the need for the media to take an active part in drawing parallels and comparisons that can culminate in policy formulation and guidance: “The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has caused widespread concern and economic hardship for consumers, businesses and communities across the globe. As the pandemic continues to disrupt business as usual and throws the economic outlook into uncertainty, the automotive industry is on the frontline. Journalists play a pivotal role in drawing right parallels and comparisons that can reflect in policy guidance and formulation.”

Speaking on some of Cars45’s interventions during the pandemic, Awala noted that the business is helping corporate firms liquidate their fleet in a bid to address liquidity challenges that they faced with.

“The disruption of many supply chains may trap cash that could otherwise be used to fund operations, or better manage third-party financial commitments. To this end. we are driving fleet liquidation across Nigeria to empower many organizations. Also, because corporates and individuals are keeping their vehicles longer due to dwindling purchasing power, our GoMechanic45 services are catering to the need of preventive maintenance and scheduled servicing to maximize the lifetime value of their vehicles. Lastly, our Autopreneur initiative is empowering Nigerians who may have lost their jobs or suffered income loss with the opportunity to earn extra income securely and conveniently.”

Key stakeholders at the event included Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Dr Boboye Oyeyemi who was represented by Corps Public Education Officer, ACM Bisi Kazeem, Executive Director, Nigeria Automotive Manufacturers Association, Remi Olaofe; General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Coscharis Group, Abiona Babarinde; Group Head, Marketing and Communications, Cars45, Oluwashola Adekoya as well as keynote speakers Senior Lecturer, Mass Communication, Covenant University, Dr. Oscar Odiboh, and Microsoft-certified technology specialist, Yusuf Jimoh Aweda.

Cars45 has continued to lead transformation and innovation in the automotive trading industry, through consumer-led and industry-driven initiatives such as its Autopreneur, Marketplace and Franchise network operations.

2020 is the year we have all been reminded that our lives are literally in our hands. It is the year we have all been forced to keep our hands and the environment clean, sanitize our hands frequently and even wear nose masks.

As a relatively small act, handwashing plays a key role in ensuring good health, and is the first step in maintaining generally good hygiene.

Many of the illnesses we battle in Nigeria are largely preventable. According to UNICEF, over 870,000 children across the world are lost every year to illnesses that are preventable (respiratory and gastrointestinal infections)! Preventable, because this number can be reduced by at least half, merely by maintaining a higher level of hygiene. The simplest of these measures is frequent hand washing.

Merely keeping a clean environment, and clean personal hygiene will eliminate most of the basic respiratory and digestive illnesses that cause the death of Nigerians.

A coalition that has championed the message of handwashing is the Global Handwashing Partnership (GHP). In August 2008, a partnership launched the Global Handwashing Day to motivate and mobilise people across the globe to improve handwashing habits. The Global Handwashing Day is now observed annually by over 200 million people on October 15.
Every year, numerous institutions and organisations culminate their hygiene activities for the year with massive projects. In 2018, a College of Technology in India, a country where about 50 million people still defecate openly, broke the Guinness World Record for most hands washed in a day.

Away from GHD, in Nigeria, a 2019 report released by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and UNICEF, stated that 46 million people are still practising open defecation. This is another factor that has continued to affect health and hygiene in the country.
In spite of these alarming figures, the report admits that Nigeria “is making some progress in improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to its population, with 70 percent of Nigerians having access to basic drinking water services.” There was a drop from 2018’s 47 million people who openly defecated.

These figures do not slump and increase merely because of ‘campaigns’ but as a result of months and years of desensitization in communities. Take, for instance, Gidan Darge, Jigawa, one of the first communities in Nigeria to be declared ‘Open Defecation free’. The community was a part of UNICEF’s Community-led Total Sanitation (CLTS) Programme - an initiative focused on ensuring that families construct their own latrines, have access to safe water and practise good handwashing techniques. UNICEF and the Nigerian Government then installed a hand pump that helped the community by providing safe drinking water for everyone. This also enabled the practice of handwashing.
Still, with over 200 million Nigerians and over 80 million living on less than $1, the government understandably totters under the strain to keep lowering the figures.

Thankfully, for years, health-based organisations, influential individuals and Nigerians with ingenious ideas have also been at the forefront of educating and informing the public about the importance of handwashing with soap.

In 2018, Hope and Dream, a non-governmental organisation, sensitised 782 students in six schools in Delta State, on handwashing hygiene and proper handwashing procedures.

Dettol expanded its commitment to handwashing and personal hygiene with a full year of activities. There have been initiatives such as the New Moms Program and School Hygiene Program. In 2019, Dettol launched a nationwide campaign called ‘Clean Naija’. It was an integrated multi-level campaign with the aim of creating awareness, education and driving behavioural change to achieve a cleaner and healthier Nigeria.
With the advent of COVID, even more organizations and individuals have unified voices. In March 2020, Reuters reported about Bamigbose Adams, a Nigerian artisan who was turning old metal drums into custom hand-washing basins in Lagos. That was his contribution to the overarching message. No matter how seemingly small, he was able to impact his community.
Since November 2020, Project SafeUp, an initiative of My World of Bags (MWOB), an Ibadan-based bag design and manufacturing company, and Mastercard Foundation, kickstarted a multi-faceted awareness campaign in Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo and Lagos. The initiative aims to produce and distribute 250 million PPE materials, while raising awareness about the pandemic and the need to wear masks and cultivate good handwashing hygiene.

At a time when the world is fighting for survival, it has become more expedient that everyone plays their part in ensuring our collective safety. Simple actions like handwashing, wearing a nose mask, sanitizing your hands frequently will go a long way in helping the world overcome not just the pandemic, but simple preventable diseases as well.

There is still so much that has to be done to sensitize people - particularly children, who are the most susceptible to disease and infection. It is critical to understand and appreciate the importance of keeping clean hands to ensure good health. Proper and frequent handwashing has to become a part of the culture, in order to ensure good health and long life.

One of the lessons 2020 has taught us is that washing hands can actually save a life.

In an effort to promote health and safety for Nigerians amidst the ongoing pandemic, My World of Bags (MWOB), a bag design and manufacturing company, is partnering with the Mastercard Foundation on an initiative called Project SafeUp.

Project SafeUp will produce and distribute free personal protective equipment (PPE) to health workers and the general public across South-West Nigeria, including Oyo, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti as well as to other areas in need across the country. The PPE that will be produced includes reusable non-surgical masks, face shields, gowns and scrubs, and shoe and head covers.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, MWOB retooled its factory to focus on the production of PPE and established key partnerships with small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The project is designed to produce and distribute over 2.5 million items of PPE within the next 4 months.

Femi Olayebi, Founder and CEO, MWOB, reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. She stated, “As a company, My World of Bags is proud to be a part of the solution and honoured to be able to contribute to the efforts of the authorities and health bodies to protect our health workers and our citizens from the devastating impact of COVID-19. We believe that a country is only as strong as the health and wellness of its citizens. We are grateful to the Mastercard Foundation for their support and look forward to continuing to work with them to improve the welfare of our citizens.”

Project SafeUp is committed to enhancing the use of Personal Protective Equipment by Nigerians and to reducing the spread of COVID-19 by sensitizing the public on the critical need to incorporate preventative measures in their day-to-day activities.

“The pandemic has had adverse effects on individuals and organizations across the country, but for many entrepreneurs and small business owners who make up most of the Nigerian population, and who rely on day-to-day incomes to survive, it has been particularly detrimental. At the Mastercard Foundation, we believe that this initiative will help to reduce these adverse effects by enabling people to safely return to their regular routines (education and work) with the use of PPE; improving the economic outcomes of low-income subgroups and women in particular; and contributing to slowing down the spread of the virus,” said Chidinma Lawanson, Country Head, Mastercard Foundation.

According to the World Health Organization, there have been over 51 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, including over 1.2 million deaths across the world. At the end of October 2020, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) reported that there were 62,853 confirmed cases, 58,675 discharged persons and, 1,114 deaths recorded since the first case was recorded in February 2020.

Institutions and organizations interested in receiving PPE can send in requests through the company’s official website at https://www.myworldofbags.com/

Come December, Hot Ticket Productions will release Ladybuckit and the Motley Mopsters (LBMM), the first cinematic feature-length animation movie out of Nigeria. A truly historic moment.

Ladybuckit is the story of a brilliant, precocious Bukky, who on a journey of self-discovery, transforms into a bucket. She soon settles in with the Motley Mopsters and is swept up in a tide of friendship and excitement.


A fun story that everyone can enjoy, Ladybuckit is set in Oloibiri, a small town in Bayelsa, Nigeria where crude oil was first discovered in commercial quantities in the 1950s. Oloibiri is known merely in historic terms, but not much about its culture or its people is taught or learnt in schools.

The first cinema-released feature-length movie brings a seemingly obscure culture and history of Nigeria to life with the story of LBMM.

The movie has been in the works for two years and costs approximately one million dollars to produce. Boasting a cast and crew of 30, LBMM combines the skill and experience of veterans with the fresh talent of young minds. Voices in this feel-good work of art include Patrick Doyle, Bimbo Akintola, Kalu Ikeagwu, Kelechi Udegbe, Awazi Angbalaga, Jessica Edwards, David Edwards and several supporting cast.


Ladybuckit provides an opportunity for families to bond over a truly positive event, in the light of how chaotic 2020 has been. The animation is a gentle reminder to Nigerians to laugh, hope and dream again. With the second teaser released on Saturday, October 31, 2020, anticipation for LBMM is quite high.


Executive produced and produced by Blessing Amidu, who doubles as the Founder/CEO of Hot Ticket Productions, Ladybuckit will have families coming back to enjoy art and excellence in action.

Other talents involved in this groundbreaking project include award-winning filmmaker, Chris Ihidero, who serves as Consulting Producer on the project, and director, Bisi Adetayo, who was involved in the production of Game of Thrones.

The animated feature is the complete package. The movie will also be accompanied by a 14-track original album created by music producer and songwriter, Clement ‘DJ Klem’ Kponu and film composer, Ava Momoh.

Ladybuckit and the Motley Mopsters is set to be released in cinemas (Nigeria and internationally) on Friday, December 11, and we can’t wait to see it.

https://twitter.com/LBMMTheMovie/status/1322460594432315392

iSON Xperiences, a leading customer experience provider with a presence in 15 countries across Africa, and an employee-force of over 10,000 people has stated that some of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19 at its Ibadan Centre.

The company operates contact centres and customer care processes for leading telecommunication service providers in Nigeria from two centres in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Ilorin, Kwara State.

iSON has since implemented strict COVID-19 preventive measures including social distancing norms; employee awareness campaigns; mandatory use of hand sanitizers and masks; temperature checks; general health check at in-house clinics based on WHO guidelines, etc.

"We have ensured Contact Centre services are available on a 24/7 basis with additional Work from Home Customer Service advisors activated" the statement read.

The company pointed out that employees with suspected risks have undergone the necessary tests and have been placed in isolation under the supervision of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). "In collaboration with the authorities, we will ensure the full return of our employees to good health.", the statement continued.

Currently, iSON's office premises are temporarily closed for thorough disinfection: "We are focused on providing services in a safe and healthy environment, and taking the necessary proactive measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 virus."

The statement finished with an appreciation for the efforts by the Oyo state government: "We thank Oyo State Governor’s Task Force, NCDC and our clients for their invaluable support in handling the unprecedented situation."

Real love is rare. Love that transcends barriers is even rarer. Paul Ozioko met his wife, Zainab Shittu, while serving in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, in 2008. He was a struggling 'youth corper' who had just finished his first degree from the University of Benin. He had done menial jobs such as washing clothes to make ends meet and had graduated with a 2nd class lower result that tugged at his confidence.

Three years later, while Paul was studying for his second degree at the University of Ilorin, the beautiful Zainab crossed his path again. Now that he had found her, he could not tell her that he washed clothes so that he could survive. But by a stroke of luck and a bit of CIA-level detective work, Zainab who had become suspicious, ambushed him at the shop he used as his base for washing and found her way into the small room before he got back from classes - that was how the cat was let out of the bag. She has stood by him since then!

He is a Christian from Nsukka in Enugu State while she is a Muslim from Oyo State. People didn’t understand their relationship - where were they headed? Would their parents agree? What would people say? They have been married for three years now. Paul has gone ahead to get a second-degree thanks to MTN’s scholarship scheme, and they now have two young children!

Paul was one of the 51 young entrepreneurs who pitched their business plans at the recently concluded Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme, YEDP by MTN Nigeria - an initiative created to empower youth entrepreneurs in the country with up to 100 million Naira business support.

He shared the very humble beginning of his business and why he would need the business support of 2 million Naira to grow his budding laundry business - Mr Clean Dry Cleaners - in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. His business model was based on grass root proliferation that would allow him to operate with the support of secondary schools in the area.


Zainab, his wife, who has now become an experienced tailor, will act as the quality control expert. There were also plans to empower young undergraduates, with stories like theirs, to seek alternative sources of income that do not involve violence or other vices.

The other participants in the programme showed various business plans targeted at improving the economy of their societies. Etoh Prisca plans to use her pram crackers and the Prisbuke Prawns Cracker Production to change the perception of small-scale healthy snacking in Port Harcourt; Olonisaye Timilehin Segun shared how Reliable Link Tutors, a training centre that also had an app and website, plans to pull young children away from the distractions of internet to a more entertaining educational curriculum.


In March 2020, MTN would announce the businesses who made the cut and why. It would be interesting to see the stories that follow these enterprising lot.

“Mama Kelechi, hello! Can you hear me? I have changed my number o! This is my new number. Hello na! It’s me Edith, Mama Ngozi in Surulere! This is my new number o! That old one has lost. Just save this one as my original one. You can delete the old one”, a woman shouts beside you on the bus as you head home. Life is not easy at all.

Everybody has either heard or made this call in one way. A thief grabs your phone in Oshodi, your uncle’s five year old plays ‘tinko’ with your SIM or somebody has decided to help you scratch that golden part of the SIM - problem yaff started.

If any of these things have happened to you, you may not have to buy another one in a hurry. See simple steps to follow if you need to get your old number up and running:

What You Need?
The phone number must be registered.
The SIM pack or other evidence of direct purchase/ownership of that sim card. If your SIM pack is unavailable, get a sworn affidavit attesting to your ownership and loss is required.
Three (3) frequently-dialled numbers. Everyone has those three people (in fact, 10 may be) we can’t stop calling.
Any details of your last recharge activities (no matter how small, it will work)
You would also need a valid form of photo ID - International Passport, Driver’s License, National ID Card, Voters Identification Card (NINs slip with ID number are also cool).

If you need another person to help you with the process, all they need is:
I. A sworn affidavit by you stating all the reasons for the replacement, as well as reasons for your inability to carry-out the replacement yourself.
Ii. A copy of your ID
Iii. A valid photo ID of your authorized representative https://www.mtnonline.com/personal/sim-service/sim-swap/

If you are an MTN subscriber for instance, and you have these then you can head to the nearest authorized shop nearest to you https://www.mtnonline.com/personal/find-a-store/. They would ask you to fill a SIM REPLACEMENT (Welcome Back) form and the end!

It is difficult being a bookworm in Nigeria jare. Burning the midnight candle, trying not to feel like a misfit but not being able to help it. The truth deep down is that I like book!

You want to know the most awkward part, when you ‘like book’ but you don’t really ‘know book’ like that. My answer to that? I stayed in the library even more, researching one thing or the other. But when results come out, na so so 58%, 62%. It was not bad but never good enough.

You see, I heard all the whispers behind my back, and some to my face. Some people said I drank too much coconut water as a child. Ouch! Others invited me to their fellowships to cast and bind the spirit of ‘almost there’. Don’t get me started on village people and family members.

However, it has never been about being the best graduating student for me, I just really enjoy learning, discovering and solving a problem using all that I have acquired on that subject. Research is my life, it’s who I am! But you need money na? Books will not solve everything. Yes, I realize that….

I had been dragging my feet on my research work for a while since my retiree father is incapable of continuing to sponsor my interests. I didn’t mind, but I had lost the zeal to continue. Most of the scholarships or grants were either out of Nigeria or set unnecessary hurdles that. So, I stopped ‘bothering’.

All that changed a month ago! For the first time in a long while, it felt amazing to be the ‘smart’ one in the room. I heard about The Academic Research Development & Innovation Challenge (ARDIC) by MTN Nigeria (https://www.brandcrunch.com.ng/2019/11/04/mtn-nigeria-calls-for-entries-in-academic-research-development-innovation-challenge-ardic/ ). And my money-deprived heart thudded when I found out that a million Naira would be attached to the winning research.

This bookworm still stood a chance to get funding for her research, one that I had been slaving over for a while! I was ready and I sent in my work since it fit the criteria to a tee.

By Thursday, November 28, 2019, the finalists will be announced at a launch in Abuja and I’m more excited about that than anything. I want the money, but I don’t even have to be a finalist. I’m ecstatic that hundreds of people that have devoted their time and sweat to analysing data and researching solutions are being recognized. It doesn’t happen often.

So, I stand with every young researcher that has met an obstacle as they have moved along through this maze of life, and I’m proud for whoever gets that money. We work too hard not to doff our hats at each other.

- Adesewa Bankole is a researcher from Abeokuta, Ogun State.