WHY CONSUMERS DESERTED 2009 LAGOS INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

2009 edition of Lagos International Trade Fair has come and gone, but the question on the lips of most consumers and manufacturers is; “why was the trade fair deserted.”

The exhibition, which was moved from Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) because of its size and the number of people who patronize it yearly to Trade Fair Complex along Badagry expressway, seems to have become the shadow of its old self.

According to some exhibitors at the international fair, this year’s edition was deserted due to low media publicity, high cost of space acquisition, economic global meltdown among others. A manufacturer who was at the trade fair said that a space of 100 square metre, which was N400 and N500 last year was given out at N6,000 this year.

He said that this development made him acquire a smaller space and that some traders were not at the fair because of the high rate.

An electronic distributor, who was at the trade fair said that there were the Lagos State government came up with some policies, which was not in the form sold to them. He cited the issue of LASAA officials, who stormed the venue, insisting that advertisers at the fair should pay a particular rate for all signposts, which was not in the agreement.

He further mentioned insecurity, which he said was at its peak in this edition and concluded that most advertisers might stop attending the trade fair if the state government refuses to give attention to many problems in this year’s edition.

GLO LAUNCHES BROADACCESS PACKAGE

Adding more to its feathers of achievements, Globacom, one of the fast rising telecommunication Network producers in Nigeria, has launched another customer friendly package called the Glo Broad Access.

According to the Group Chief Operating Officer of Globacom, Mohammed Jameel, Broadaccess is a revival of the dead fixed wired telephone from NITEL. “Achored on our state of the art optical fibre network and powered by the very latest DINDM (Dense Inavelength Division Multiplexing) technology, Glo Broadaccess is further reinforced with the next generation IP/MPLS digital technology.” Mohammed Jameel said

Broadacess enables subscribers to harness the power of instant connectivity with a high tech digital connection that guarantees excellent service quality, unbeatable browning speed and access to a banquet of other amazing features even as calls are very made crystal clear on the landline simultaneously. Broadacess is a technology that combines the excitement of landline telephone, broadband internet and video on a single digital wire in the event which was staged at the banquet hall of Edo hold and suites had in attendance minister of state for communication, who was the guest of honour, chairman senate commuter on communication, Sen Anyanwu, Chairman, House Committee on Communication from the House of Representatives, Honourable Salako amongst other dignitaries, who endorsed Globacom as the fastest network provider with over 20million subscribers with five years of operations. Speaking at the event, the honourable minister said the launch of broadaccess in another laudable development in the telecommunication history in Nigeria and Africa at large.

“We’re proud to be part of Globacom’s achievements. This is a conformation that what is available in the developed society can be readily provided to us in this part of the world,” the minister added.

Mr. Sangowawa, who gave the vote of thanks, said the tariff for this limitless possibilities package will be considerably low compared to what GSM package offered.

ZAIN EMBARKS ON STAFF DOWNSIZE

With the Myriads of challenges facing Zain Nigeria, these are indications that the company may be heading for the worse situation as several crisis, ranging from intractable legacy problems, such as brand name metamorphosis, management problem among others ravage then network provider. These problems have resulted in the retrench of about 500 workforces who were given peanuts as exist packages. Confirmed source revealed that as the global economic heat is pinching all telecom operators in Nigeria, just as in every sector of the economy; it seemed that Zain is profoundly feeling it. Another source said the crisis brewed as a result of change in leadership of Bayo ligali who was booted out and replaced with Alain sainte-marie.

The source added that some staffers of the telecom house are not really down with the replacement of Bayo Ligali with a foreigner and this made them to grumble and neglect most issues that needed quick attention which made the zain management to send them away without condoning negligence at work from any staffers irrespective of his/her post.

Zain corporate affairs manager, Mr. Emmanuel Otokhini was said to have reacted in a newspaper that the competition in telecom industry has been going on for long. “We are operating like others and the marketing strategies being deployed by operations are nothing new. Our down sizing is to standardize the workforce not as a result of any crisis,” Mr. Emmanuel reiterated.

An insider alleged that the global economic crisis, unfavourable foreign currency fluctuations, particularly in Africa, coupled with reduced interest income and investment income plus higher financing cost have had significant impacts on the company in all ramifications. And these had led to many crisis of Zain Nigeria.

MTN SACKS TOP MANAGEMENT STAFFERS

The global economic meltdown is hitting hard on some organizations across the world if information made available is anything to go by. One of the leading telecommunication providers in Africa; Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN) is experiencing hard times. The hard times has made MTN Africa to embark on top management staff downsizing.

Those who should know revealed that the giant network provider laid off about 403 top management staff across Africa penultimate week. According to an insider, MTN Nigeria has embarked on an aggressive plan to refocus its customer service operations towards the next generation customer care and in time with this strategy, 65 top management staffers have been disengaged sequel to series of internal reviews to better position the organization to serve its customers for the future. Those who should know divulged that out of the 65 top management staffers that were laid off, only 20 where paid their adequate entitlement, while the rest were asked to keep checking since the company is experiencing cash crunch. It was gathered that among the 20 that were paid was one female top executive, who used to be in customer relations department. An insider scooped that she was paid first because she has the media at her beck and call, and can use them against the network provider anytime. It was even gathered that most of the staffers of MTN are not certain of job security, and that a day in office is an added advantage to them since it’s not certain when what would happen next. Efforts made to reach Akin Braithwaite, the customer relations executive for comment on the development proved before we went to press.

ERICSSON SACKS NIGERIANS IN TOP MANAGEMENT POSITIONS

LM Ericsson in Nigeria has sacked its Nigerian top managers in its bid to provide places for its foreign consultants, according to information made available. Impeccable source revealed that LM Ericsson in Nigeria sacked its Nigerian managers in a secretly due to the labour union set up in the organization by the Nigerian managers.

It was even gathered that the workers protested against the move when it was brought to their notice only to resume the next day with the list of sacked managers pasted conspicuously on the notice board. Immediately the workers saw this notice at the Walter Carrington Crescent head office of the company, they swung into action by blocking the gate leading to the offices of the white managers. An insider revealed that in South Africa, LM Ericsson ran into a big loss in 2008, but was unable to retrench workers as a cost cutting measure due to the strong labour laws in the country, ‘but in Nigeria where they made so much money, they send workers away because there are no good laws guiding our labour.’

PANIC IN INTERCONTINENTAL BANK OVER ROBBERY SCARE

Hell was let loose at the Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos branch of Intercontinental Bank penultimate week when the security doors malfunctioned. According to an eye witness, customers in the banking hall were scared, thinking it was robbery attack and they started running from pillar to post for safety. Eye witnesses revealed that when PHCN seized electricity and the bank changed over to generator, the security door stopped working and trapped two customers who started screaming for help. The cry of help by those trapped inside the doors made the people assumed it was a robbery attack and they started running for safety. It was gathered that even the bank staffers ran into the offices all for safety. Sources revealed that the incident was the second in few weeks and most branches of Intercontinental Bank have been having the same experience. Maybe the bank’s management should service their security doors or employ the services of professionals to avoid embarrassment in the future.

MIDAS FOOTBALL ACADEMY SET FOR ANOTHER EUROPEAN TOUR AND TRIAL GAMES 2010

Midas Football Academy, Lagos Nigeria and defending champions of Lions Gold Cup and Football Festival in Denmark 2009 have again registered for the 2010 edition from July 6^th to 24^th 2010 and Football trial camp from May 21^st to June 6^th 2010 at Pohjola Stadion Vantaa Finland.

Speaking on the upcoming projects of the academy in 2010, the founder of the academy, Ahmed Bayonle Arashi says young players in Nigeria will have an opportunity to showcase their talents to football clubs, coaches and scouts that will be present during the event as they will be contesting with more than 150 participating teams from all over the world hence creating an enabling opportunity to engage in a progressive football career. He also said that part of the organisation’s activity is to arrange trial games, training camps as well as friendship games for football teams either in the Nigerian premier league, football academies due to his more than two years experience in the business of delivering excellent service to the public.

Interested players coaches and parents should visit the academy website at www.midasfootballacademy.com

He concluded with a promise to take the development of grassroots football in Nigeria to a very high level and also promise to showcase some of the players in Nigeria national team at different age grade competitions