Monday, August 18, 2014

Etisalat Nigeria And IHS Sign Tower Sale And Lease Back Agreement For Nigeria Portfolio

Etisalat Nigeria today announced the sale of 2,136 of its towers to IHS Holding Limited (“IHS”) as part of a broader strategy to drive improvements in the quality of its network performance and to accelerate roll out of 2G & 3G coverage and new services to its customers. The transaction, the first by a major GSM operator in Nigeria, is expected to close later this year. Etisalat currently has the highest quality network in Nigeria and the partnership with IHS is designed to promote network sharing, ensure higher quality, sustain reliable mobile services, lower overall costs and also promote a cleaner environment through reduced diesel usage and increased investments in alternative energy solutions. Over the past 18 months, IHS has installed a large number of alternative energy sites in Nigeria. These investments in addition to further investments in its state-of-the-art Network Operations Centre mean that uptimes of over 99% are achieved on its owned sites. Under the terms of this transaction IHS has committed to investing a further USD100 million in the towers acquired, on advanced generators, efficient batteries and alternative energy solutions to reduce diesel consumption and improve efficiency of grid use. Matthew Willsher, CEO of Etisalat Nigeria, said: “Continued demand for mobile connectivity along with increased consumption of data requires reliable and effective networks that are also cost efficient for network operators. The decision to sell our passive infrastructure to an experienced commercial partner, such as IHS, is part of our strategy to increase network coverage and capacity which is already rated number 1 for quality of service by the NCC. http://perfectbrandsng.com/etisalat-nigeria-and-ihs-sign-tower-sale-and-lease-back-agreement-for-nigeria-portfolio/

GE Oil & Gas COO calls for More Investment in Infrastructure

Global infrastructure giant, GE has identified infrastructure deficiency as one of the challenges militating against the oil and gas sector in Africa. Chief Operating Officer of GE Oil & Gas for West Africa Uzo Nwagwu made the declaration at the 38th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition of Society of Petroleum Engineers held in Lagos recently. Uzo Nwagwu said the obvious paucity in infrastructure on the continent should be given immediate priority so that private investors could be encouraged to invest in the industry. “Infrastructural challenges continue to be a deal breaker in discussions so far; with respect to the inadequate gas and pipeline networks and lack of incentives to be able to invest in gas facilities by private investors.” With the projection that Africa’s population which is currently 820 million, will by 2025 increase to one billion, he said the time to improve on the existing infrastructure is now. His words: “the middle class is at 320 million; by 2030, we expect that to be about 420 million. By 2030, we’ll need additional 1000 new aircraft to transport people from point to point. With respect to power generation demands, it will grow at about 10 percent annually from now till about 2025.” For Africa to harness all the opportunities available, Uzo Nwagwu stated investors and companies like GE need to be on ground with a deliberate localisation policy hinged on local investments, technology and skills transfer as well as job creation. He said GE already employs over 500 employees in Nigeria alone with a commitment to invest $1billion in total in Calabar – $250million of which has been earmarked as capital expenditure for a multi-modal manufacturing and assembly plant in Calabar. When completed, this facility will help create at least 2,300 direct and indirect jobs. http://perfectbrandsng.com/ge-oil-gas-coo-calls-for-more-investment-in-infrastructure/

P&G, Awesome Communications’ Forum Educates Women In Marketing Profession

Women in marketing profession in Nigeria have been advised to give due priority to networking if they really want to succeed in their career. The former Managing Director of Africa Magic and Principal Partner of Biola Alabi Media, Mrs Biola Alabi gave the advice at the maiden edition of Women in Marketing Conference & Awards (WIMCA). The event, which held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos was sponsored by the World’s leading fast moving consumer packaged goods (FMCG) manufacturers, Procter & Gamble (P&G) Nigeria Limited in conjunction with Awesome Communications. Mrs Alabi said for any woman in the marketing profession to succeed, the person must pay due attention to three basic principles – networking, courage/boldness and focus. According to her, these are ingredients aspiring woman-marketers must imbibe as innate character if they must succeed. “Networking is one of the most important things in this industry. If you can’t network, you can’t be in this industry. You must find a way to build your own circle of friends; you must build your own support group. Nobody is going to do it for you,” she said. She added that self development through reading, learning from others and being adventurous with knowledge acquisition are also essential prerequisites to attaining success in the industry. “You have to read any and every available materials relating to the industry. You have to pick interest in every marketing event in and around your world to keep yourself up to date always in order to be on top of your game; you have to learn. There is no other way to it”, she stated. http://perfectbrandsng.com/pg-awesome-communications-forum-educates-women-in-marketing-profession/

Osolo of Isolo applauds Promasidor’s CSR

In recognition of the enormous contributions of Promasidor Nigeria Limited to the Isolo community in the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, the Osolo of Isolo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Kolawole Agbabiaka and his Council of Chiefs have commended the company for its outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) drives. Speaking during their visit to the Headquarters of Promasidor on Thursday; the Royal Father described Promasidor as a pace setter for others to follow in terms of CSR. According to him, Promasidor has successfully carved out a niche for itself with its exceptional CSR which is so impactful on all the people living in the community. Oba Kolawole therefore described the visit which is part of the plan to create awareness for the planned 10th year anniversary of his coronation as the Osolo of Isolo as a necessary thing to reciprocate the goodwill of Promasidor for its host communities. His words: “The community appreciates your corporate social responsibility campaign as the most excelled. I personally cherish what you have been doing for the community.” http://perfectbrandsng.com/osolo-of-isolo-applauds-promasidors-csr/

Intel and Microsoft co-launch tablet with Brian Computers …Launches the BrianTab iw10

Technology giants, Intel and Microsoft have partnered with Brain Integrated Systems Limited to introduce into the Nigerian market BrainTab iw10. The tablet is powered by Intel Atom processor and has the windows 8.1 with office 365 in built. “The BrainTab iw10 is designed to help people experience the power of Intel Atom processor and Windows 8.1 easily with the main objective to being to make work easy and play hard.” Said Chairman of Brain Integrated Systems Limited (BISL), Mr, Tunji Balogun. Country Manager, Intel , Bunmi Ekundare stated that the BrainTab 1w10 is a world class device which combines the technology of Microsoft and Intel. The device boasts of enhanced features including Intel Quad –Core 1.33-i.8 GHz Bay Trial –T processor, Intel HD Gen 7 graphics, 10 point capacitive touch screen, to make switching between favourite apps more fluid. It also has eight hours of battery life. Industry Information Communication (ICT) Technology stakeholders at the launch described the device As a novel innovation from an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in Nigeria. Also commenting on the BrianTab iw10 General Manager Microsoft, Kabelo Makwane said “The tablet is much more than an ordinary tablet. The Brian Tab iw10 Windows Tablet gives you the power of touch and exciting ways to share, play, create, interact and enjoy. All the great apps you need are in the Windows Store and you can surf the web with the touch-perfect Internet Explorer. The USB Ports lets you connect to external devices while your Microsoft Accounts lets you share your tablet with other users but not your personal information, helping you keep things separate.” http://perfectbrandsng.com/intel-and-microsoft-co-launch-tablet-with-brian-computers-launches-the-briantab-iw10/