Diamond Bank becomes Nigeria’s first bank to implement instant account opening

 Diamond Bank Plc, has announced that as part of the initiatives to provide better customer service and expedite customer facing processes, it has successfully implemented BPM (Business Process Management solution) from Newgen Software Technologies.

This implementation has enabled the bank in end-to-end automation of the Account Opening and Account Management processes, which in turn would enable to provide improved customer service within shortest possible TAT (turnaround time).

On this occasion the bank also launched its latest innovation whereby the bank’s sales staff would be able to open accounts instantly, using their Tablets. Diamond Bank becomes the first ever bank in Nigeria to provide this service.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr.Alex Otti, Group Managing Director, Diamond Bank said, “This initiative further substantiates our position as a leader in retail banking. The implementation of Tablet based Account Opening reinforces Diamond Bank’s position as a innovator and a technology driven bank.”

Speaking on the occasion also, Mr. Premier Oiwoh (Head IT & Operators, Diamond Bank) added “We chose Newgen based on its proven track record in the BPM space and its focus on African market. Based on our deliberation with various solution providers, we felt Newgen products and implementation pedigree met our needs perfectly,” he added.

L-R: Mrs. Caroline Anyanwu, Executive Director, Risk Management of Diamond Bank Plc; Vivek Bhatnagar, AVP & Business Head EMEA of Newgen Software Technologies Limited; Dr. Alex Otti, GMD/CEO, Abdulrahman Yinusa Executive Director/ Chie Financial Officer, both of Diamond of Diamond Bank and Bindesh Pandey, Business Development Manager of Newgen Software Technologies Limited at a press conference on Diamond Integrated Solutions (DIS) in Lagos yesterday. 

Speaking on the significance of this implementation, Mr. Vivek Bhatnagar (Vice President Newgen Software) said, “We are happy to partner with Diamond Bank, in its quest for transformation and achieving operational excellence. Newgen’s BPM offerings will help the bank to centralize the back-office processes, in a seamlessly automated environment.”

“It will also pave the way for faster customer acquisition and excellence in service delivery besides helping the bank reduce operating costs,” he added.

Mr. Bhatnagar also said that the implementation was delivered jointly by Newgen and its local partner FASYL Nigeria. He added that “we, at Newgen, put strong emphasis on utilization of local resources in implementation and post implementation support phase.”

Speaking on occasion, Mr. Sola Akinbade (MD, FASYL Nigeria) said “We are happy to be part of this journey with Diamond Bank, along with our partner’s Newgen”. He added that FASYL has been consistently building up capacity to support Newgen BPM installations, in order to provide local support.

//Ends.

 

About Diamond

 

Diamond Bank Plc is one of Nigeria’s foremost banks, providing comprehensive banking and other financial services to corporate and individual customers across Nigeria and Africa.  The bank also pioneered online real-time banking in 1992 with the introduction of DIBS, the Diamond Integrated Banking System, which enabled customers to conduct banking transactions online real-time from anywhere in Nigeria. The bank has remained a leader in technological innovations and customer service since then

 

About Newgen

 

Newgen Software Technologies Limited is a leading global provider of  Business Process Management (BPM), Enterprise Content management (ECM) and Customer Communication Management, with a global footprint of 900 installations in over 50 countries with large, mission-critical solutions deployed at the world's leading Banks, Insurance firms,  BPO’s, Healthcare Organizations, Government, Telecom Companies & Shared Service Centers.

Newgen’s Quality Systems are certified against ISO 9001:2008 and Information Security Standard, ISO 27001:2005.

L-R: Vivek Bhatnagar, AVP & Business Head EMEA of Newgen Software Technologies Limited; Dr. Alex Otti, GMD/CEO and Abdulrahman Yinusa Executive Director/ Chief Financial Officer (CFO) both of Diamond Bank Plc at a press conference on Diamond Integrated Solutions (DIS) in Lagos yesterday. 

 

Diamond Bank appoints TPT International

Lagos, Nigeria, 30 November, 2012: Diamond Bank Plc, a leading financial institution in Nigeria has appointed TPT international as its PR agency.

The agency emerged from a highly competitive pitch process that involved four of top leading PR agencies selected for the pitch. Other companies include The Quadrant Company Nigeria, Mediacraft Associates, and C&F Portal Novelli.

TPT emerged the preferred based on its creative direction during the pitch and its clear interpretation of the brief. Indeed it was a very keen contest according to our sources as all the agencies gave a good account of themselves.

Industry analysts have commended the management of the bank for engaging consultants in various aspects of the bank which shows that the bank is very futuristic in a country where some banks find it difficult to understand the importance of hiring professionals and this will influence its going forward as a futuristic bank.

 According to Modupe Adetokunbo, the founder and chief consultant of TPT International, this appointment offers his team the opportunity to once again partner with a futuristic and innovative bank in delivering a desirable corporate perception. The bank will definitely benefit from our rich experience in PR practice as well as our creative approach to perception management.

Diamond Bank is a commercial bank, offering a full range of banking products and services in retail, corporate and investment banking. The business is based on strong, enduring relationships and is driven by innovation and leading edge technology.

The marketing/business development function of the bank is organised in a way that enables it service its clients in the various market segments optimally.

The appointment of TPT International came on the heels of the recent transformation in the Nigerian banking industry as an aftermath of the global financial crisis which made the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to intervene in the management of about eight banks as well as the promulgation of     policies measures to strengthen the industry.

TPT International Limited is a full-service public relations firm maintaining practice areas in media relations, crisis management, brand PR, corporate communications, lobbying, lifestyle, fashion, strategic counselling, Information communications technology, social media and entertainment among others.

The agency is known for conceptualizing and implementing innovative and bespoke public relations programmes designed to generate desirable media interest and exposure and thereby impact a clients' specific business goals and objectives.

TPT understands that an effective way of grabbing the attention of the media and ensuring multi-angled reportage is by engaging them in a captive environment spiced with informal interactions and constructive networking.

TPT started business in February 1998 with only one client, Rothmans of Pall Mall and has since grown into the leading public relations solutions provider to top brands that spread across various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

In recognition of its performance, it has won the PR Company of the year award six times in the last ten years.

It also pride itself  on the diversity of its client roster, with experience including the Federal Government of Nigeria, Cross Rivers State, BAT, Pfizer, FinBank, Lagos Lotto, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Procter & Gamble West Africa, British Council, MTN Foundation, Starcomms, Mastercard, IBM,  Promasidor Nigeria Limited and many others.

Loya milk picks Don Jazzy as brand ambassador as it kicks off new promo

 Lagos, Nigeria 01 December, 2012: Promasidor Nigeria, makers of quality food products, has chosen Michael Collins Ajereh also known as Don Jazzy as the face of its Loya Milk brand.
At the unveiling ceremony, the company also commenced an online based promo to give consumers an opportunity to feature in a Loya TV commercial with Don Jazzy.
The Commercial Director, Promasidor Nigeria, Mr. Kachi Onubogu while disclosing reasons for selecting Don Jazzy as brand ambassador for Loya Milk, said a brand ambassador will help the brand further reach its target audience.

“Our choice of Don Jazzy as brand ambassador is driven by the essence of the brand and its proposition to its target audience.  Loya Premium Milk is a brand with class and taste; it is a brand with distinction and excellence, a brand that constantly rewards its loyal consumers. ”

Speaking on the promo mechanics, Onubogu made known that Loya milk will begin an online promo new that will run from December 1st till December 31st.

“From today, December 1st till 31st December Loya milk will start a new promo. It is going to be an online promo. All consumer needs to do is to like us on www.facebook.com/loyamilk or log on to the promo site www.tasteyourdream.com where they will enter their details name, phone number and e-mail address. Each winner will walk away with a Samsung Galaxy S3 Smartphone, a night in an hotel and also an opportunity to be in a Loya TV commercial with Don Jazzy.”

He further made known that the brand Loya Milk is one that stands out as best in the industry and is loved by consumers.

“Loya Milk is a brand that is loved and well respected by consumers. It is known to be a brand that never hesitates to give back to its consumers. It is to be recalled that in 2011, the brand rewarded its consumers with a total of N50m in a promo that lasted for about 90 days.

Known for being charitable, Don Jazzy, the new brand ambassador is a multi award-winning Nigerian record producer, singer/songwriter, and current CEO of the Mavin Records label.

Recently rated as the 36th ‘Most powerful celebrity in Africa’ by Forbes, he is an avid user of social networking sites with Twitter being his top. Don Jazzy has over 200, 000 followers and noted for giving birthday shout-outs to fans, airtime recharge cards, and even money via Twitter.

Loya is a premium milk brand on the stable of  Promasidor. It's brand promise is to deliver consistent, premium quality milk powder that assists in keeping the family strong and healthy and contains calcium, proteins and Vitamins A and D, essential for the growth of a healthy body.

The high calcium milk was re-launched in October 2010 to reposition it as a premium offering in the Nigerian milk market, It is targeted at stylish and sophisticated women who seek the best in quality.

Diamond Bank Launches Mobile Banking Truck, Diamond–in–Motion

Diamond Bank Plc, one of the leading commercial banks in Nigeria has launched a first of its kind mobile banking truck in the country in a bid to bring banking services to the door step of its existing and potential customers.

The new service tagged Diamond–in–Motion was launched yesterday at its corporate headquarters in Lagos by the Group Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Alex Otti. Under the service, customers can open new accounts, pay bills, save money, use ATM as well as make cash/cheque deposits and withdrawals.  Dr. Otti describes the mobile truck as “a full-fledged bank in motion.”

Mr. Olumide Akindele, Head Proposition and Liabilities of Diamond Bank Diamond–in–Motion is part of the bank’s strategy to take banking to the customers, adding that it will afford them the convenience and opportunity to do transactions with ease.

He said the bank planned to acquire about 250 additional units of the truck for nationwide rollout as part of strategy to serve the unbanked population

Also speaking on the new service, Mr. Steve Obiago, Head Information Technology Operations described it as a moving branch fortified with the latest technology.

Obiago who said the initiative was part of the bank’s strategy to drive the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) cashless policy, added that it could be moved anywhere and customers would be able to utilise it in any location.

He said the service was done in collaboration with service providers and it could be moved to streets, remote villages and it is fully secured for both those working in it as well as the money in transit.


Diamond Bank is a commercial bank, offering a full range of banking products and services in retail, corporate and investment banking. The business is based on strong, enduring relationships and is driven by innovation and leading edge technology.

The marketing/business development function of the bank is organised in a way that enables it service its clients in the various market segments optimally.

Also, the bank has changed its signage design to conform to its newly refreshed identity. The new signage prototype was also unveiled yesterday,

The bank had recently launched a new logo with multiple colours of red, green, blue and orange encrypted on the diamond logo different from the ash coloured logo used before, to make it more visible and brighter.

Dr. Alex Otti, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer had noted then, “What we have done with our corporate identity is to refresh elements of our brand look and feel to identify with our growing customer base and usher in a period of renewed focus and commitment to our business.”

He said, “Our colours reflect the bright optimistic colours of the Diamond spectrum using green as a base colour with complimentary colours of red, orange and blue. For us, the green symbolizes growth, red stands for vibrancy, orange illustrates ‘passion’ of our people and the blue symbolizes our commitment to innovation in our products and services.”

Telecoms recorded highest ad spend in 2011

Lagos, Nigeria, 06 November 2012: Telecommunications product category recorded the highest spend of N20.118 billion out of a total of N102.755 billion spent in Above- The- Line in 2011, followed by Personal Paid announcement with N8.654 while Entertainment, Leisure & Tourism was third in the product category with N5.976 billion.

Mediafacts, an annual publication of MediaReach OMD, Nigeria’s most influential media independent agency disclosed this in its 2011 edition which was released today.

It said in the telecommunications product category, MTN topped the list with N6.381 billion followed by Globacom which spent N5.704 billion while Etisalat and Airtel spent N4.255 billion and N3.439 billion respectively, adding that all the four brands topped the list of the top 20 brands in terms of ad spend last year.
The publication also noted that television advertising amounted to N46.076 billion as against the N39.656 billion recorded in 2010, radio recorded N13.142 billion as against N12.807 billion spent in 2010, the print media had N15.395 billion lesser than the N16.524 spent in 2010 while outdoor expenditure was N28.142 billion, lesser than N28.562 spent in 2010.

The report also noted that, Nigeria has the potential to build a prosperous economy with its large reserves of human and natural resources, adding that Nigeria witness major changes in the economic sector in 2011 some of which were the Federal Government amnesty programme that resulted in higher oil production, growth in the insurance sector and consistent growth in the telecommunication sector amongst others.

Mediafacts 2011, published in one volume in English and French contains media trend information on nine West African countries and three central African countries. This covers some of the countries where Media Reach OMD operates.

Media Reach OMD is a specialist media company that provides a host of media-related services to advertisers and or their representatives. Its services include communications and media planning, media strategy developments and implementation buying and control services among others and its business offices are located in Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon.

Since March 1999, MediaReach OMD has steadily grown to become a highly reputed firm within the marketing communications’ services industry and a respected member of the OMD global network
The company believes in powerful ideas, driven by meaningful insight to deliver compelling results.

Mr. Tolu Ogunkoya, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MediaReach OMD said, “We understand that creativity is the sustainable source of differentiation and competitive advantage for ourselves and our clients. We pride ourselves on delivering innovative media solutions to our clients’ marketing challenges at the keenest possible prices.”

OMD, the parent company of MediaReach OMD is one of the largest and most influential media communications specialists in the world.

THE KANGAROO STORY

Today, things happen at a faster pace, with quick successions, than we could hardly imagine. New technologies evolve almost every day; event and news happen at breathtaking pace that one could ever hardly keep up with. The fast changing environment affects virtually every area of our lives; the way we think and relate with others. The effect is reflected on areas such as relationships, career, parenting, to mention just a few. Nowadays, it is surprising to see the rate at which children grow rapidly – mentally and physically, that one is left to wonder if they are being grown with fertilizer or some sort of genetic mutation. As if that is not wonder enough, their level of reasoning is dazzling, and their mental capacity is amazing, especially when they asked certain above-their-age questions.

For instance, I came home from work one night and my four-year old son asked, “Daddy, please tell me a story about donkey”. I wondered what could have prompted the question.  In my childhood days, all I ever heard were stories centered on tortoise, monkey and the likes and none on donkey. My mind raced through my childhood days while I was pacing my thought on what good and interesting story is associated with donkey. At the same time, I was being careful of the type of lessons that could be derived from it because they won’t stop at the story but they will also go as far as asking for the lesson learnt. Children are like women, interested in building relationship and sustaining it. But often times, such yearnings are met with tiredness, busy schedule and lack of patience to cement the bond. And over time, such affection is shifted to their teachers in school, house help or whoever responds to their quest and aspirations. 

They express eagerness to share the day’s experience in an awesome and admirable manner. Their persistent search for answers is almost unparalleled; begging for detailed answer on every issue. Response to some of these issues needs sincere and comprehensive answer because of the keen, unputdownable interest they repose in it. More so, it is the beginning of formative and learning year of their lives, particularly the belief system.

So as I was saying, in order to avoid telling the kangaroo story at least for that night, I made endless and extravagant promises which took me a couple of days to fulfill. I claimed, night after night, that it was too late to start a story. I kept making promises to save face. “I will tell you the Kangaroo story,” I said wryly. Little did I know that he who fights and runs away, live to fight another day. Kids these days could double as personal assistance and wonderful ally. They rarely forget things so easily. They can re-cap as many storylines as you told them. These new breeds are really intellectually overwhelming. And that was how I sailed through that night.

The next day, I woke up to discover that a search for daddy has been declared and when he finally found me, I lost my regular ‘daddy good morning’ to ‘daddy tell me Kangaroo story’. “Hey boy, it’s too early to tell a story,” I responded calmly.  “When I return, please,” I promised. I could not but wonder until the office work for that day temporarily wiped off the memory. Before returning home that day, I paused to search out Kangaro on the internet, to see if I could get some features that could be developed into story.  

And yes, I did get something. To my surprise, most kangaroo species have big ears and small heads, covered with fur and use their big hind legs and thick tail for hopping. Some kangaroos can leap really far. The kangaroo uses its tail for balancing when it hops. It uses the tail for support when it sits. At least, I have some new information to say about Kangaroo. At home, it was the same welcome address, daddy you said you would tell me story about Kangaroo. After the story, he said, daddy I like Kangaroo, yes it is good to like it. At least to have some rest for a while. 

It was a sigh of relief, before another “Kangaroo knocking” question. Children are interesting to stay around with, but with a big listening ear and patience, one will definitely fit in and enjoy their world.

Research Institute Backs FG on Cassava Bread

The Federal Institute of Industrial Research has said that the cassava bread initiative introduced by the Federal Government for baking of composite bread in commercial quantity will enhance quality bread production in the country. Besides, the institute stated that cassava industry has the capacity to generate over 3 million jobs and reduce the rate of unemployment in the country.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos yesterday, the Director- General of the institute, Dr Gloria Elemo, said that the institute has perfected the technology of 10 per cent high quality cassava flour inclusion in wheat flour and has transferred the technology to numerous flour millers and bakers in the country.

She said, “Indeed, the institute baking laboratory produces composite (cassava/wheat) bread which it sells to staff on a daily basis, as a demonstration of the technical feasibility and economic viability of the technology.

“The composite bread produced is adjudged by all those who eat it to be of very high quality this is in tandem with the Institute’s sensory evaluation reports on cassava bread consumption.”

According to her, apart from baking bread with the 10 per cent and 20 per cent composite cassava, the institute has also successfully baked various acceptable confectionery products with over 20 per cent cassava flour inclusion in wheat flour.

Elemo, however, allayed the fear of Nigerians concerning the health implications of consumption of cassava bread, saying that cassava bread consumption is safe and do not cause or aggravate diabetes as confirmed by glycemic indices study carried out on 10 and 20 per cent cassava bread at the institute.

She said in consideration of the country’s status as the largest producer of cassava in the whole world, the inherent advantages and health benefits of cassava in flour for bread making and other confectioneries, Nigerians should embrace the policy to unleash the country dependence on imported wheat flour.

“Due to economic factors which have made it impossible for the common man to have convenient food on his table at the right-time, price, quality and quantity, bread has remained the only staple food affordable to Nigerians,” she added.

Economic climate has not affected views on global warming – poll

A new Guardian/ICM poll reveals the public view of man-made climate change has remained consistent in the last three years, despite a change in Conservative party priorities in the financial climate. Photograph: Antonio Lacerda/EPA Photograph: Graphic

 

The cold financial climate of the last three years has made little impact on public attitudes towards global warming, according to a new Guardian/ICM poll.

As the world assembled for the Rio+20 UN sustainable development conference at the end of last week, the survey found that most British voters (57%) accept that man-made climate change is happening. That is one point more than the 56% who took the same view when ICM posed a near-identical question just before the Copenhagen climate conference of 2009.

The poll identified a hardcore of 7% of respondents who deny the planet is getting warmer, two points more than the 5% who said the same at the time of Copenhagen. The proportion who accept the planet is warming but insist this is not principally due to human factors has dwindled slightly, from 33% in December 2009 to 30% today.

The results suggest a remarkable pattern of stability in acceptance of climate change as established fact, a finding which may surprise politicians who have been lowering their environmental ambitions for fear of appearing out of step with hard times. The leaders who went to Rio were so resigned to an insubstantial outcome that they allowed their sherpas to agree the basic communique before they had even arrived.

A follow-up question on impressions of the summit also revealed more continuity than change. Only 17% of voters dismissed the Rio summit as a panic about an exaggerated threat – exactly the same proportion who said the same of Copenhagen.

But if the voters have not moved much, the same cannot be said of politicians. Whereas David Cameron had hailed Copenhagen's "historic importance" as opposition leader, in the months running up to Rio, he licensed his chancellor to argue that "we're not going to save the planet by putting our country out of business".

One thing that may help understand this shifting political positioning is a sense that – among that majority of voters who do acknowledge a climate change problem – the subject has slipped a little down the list of priorities. After three years of squeezed living standards, more of the people who accept carbon emissions need curbing warn leaders not to "lose sight of the need to maintain human prosperity". The number taking this view has edged up from 45% to 50% since Copenhagen. Meanwhile, the most committed environmentalists – those who describe the climate as "the most serious threat facing mankind" – have dwindled somewhat. Before Copenhagen, 30% were in that camp; today its strength has fallen back to 27%.

The modest swing towards putting economics before the environment is somewhat more marked among Tory supporters and backers of minor parties, and it could be that Conservative high command fear that excessively green positions could see the party surrendering some rightwing voters to Ukip. On the basic facts, however, a plurality of the supporters of all three parties are in agreement: 49% of Conservatives, 61% of Labour supporters and 67% of Lib Dems believe in man-made climate change. Even if some differences in the rhetoric between different political leaders is emerging, most voters appear to accept climate science, regardless of their own party affiliation.

ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1,002 adults aged 18+ by telephone on 22-24 June 2012. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

Cowbell Milk flags off national consumer promo

Lagos, Nigeria, 5 July 2012:

Cowbell Milk, the flagship brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited has launched a national consumer promotion targeted towards rewarding loyal consumers of the brand. The promo is tagged "Cowbell Olympic Medal Rush."

The promo which was unveiled last Friday in Lagos is expected to run for three months.

Chief Keith Richards, managing director of the company said the promo is intended to create opportunity for consumers to win cash prizes up to N50, 000, and that, 10 lucky star prize winners will be treated to an all expense paid trip to the London 2012 Olympics.

Consequent upon this, Richards said Chioma Ajunwa Oparah, the 1996 Olympics gold medal winner and the first African to win such a coveted title, has been appointed as the Promotional Ambassador throughout the duration of the promo.

Richards however stressed that the promo has the approvals of relevant authorities such as Consumer Protection Council (CPC).

To participate in the promo, Mr. Olusegun Koleoso, Business Development Manager of the company, said consumers should detach a coupon or sticker in the promotional packs of 400g sachet, 400 gram tins, 500g box and 900g tins and stand a chance of winning gold, silver or bronze, which will be instantly redeemed for cash of N50, 000, N30, 000 and N20, 000 respectively at any branch of Zenith Bank nationwide.

Also, cartons of Cowbell 400g sachets will be given as consolation prizes.

Cowbell Milk Brand Manager, Mr. Abiodun Ajiborode, said the promo intends to reward loyal consumers, adding that, it will also entrench the Cowbell brand in the minds of the consumers while creating fun and excitement around the brand.

Commenting on the bold initiatives the company is taking in various social responsibility programmes as well as promotional efforts, Ajunwa-Oparah said this is the first time a company will come and give Nigerians the opportunity they have been looking for.

"It has been a long time we have been looking for companies to come and embrace sports in Nigeria. And more especially at the big glamour games like the Olympics. We need people to support all our athletes and this is what we have seen today. The company has partnered with the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), and I know that a lot of money would have been committed."

"You can also see what the company is doing in the Cowbell Football Academy, grooming the younger ones, and at the same time, the National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC), which has become something enviable in Nigeria," Ajunwa-Oparah added.

Besides the promo, Cowbell Milk is also the Official Milk of the Nigerian contingents to the 2012 Olympics Games in London.

　

Cowbell Milk has been in the Nigerian market since 1993. It is currently the No.2 milk powder brand in Nigeria with strong commitment to national nourishment and innovative corporate social responsibility such as National Secondary School Mathematics competition, Grass root soccer, Parasoccer and so many others.

//Ends.

About Promasidor

Promasidor (Nigeria) Limited, was incorporated in Nigeria in 1993 to manufacture, package, market and distribute fast moving consumer products. Since inception, it has been offering quality and affordable products to its consumers.

It revolutionized the dairy industry with the introduction of sachet packaging of its Cowbell milk, a development which has become the norm in the industry presently. Its products range includes Cowbell milk, Cowbell chocolate, Cowbell flavoured milk drink, Loya full cream milk, Miksi, Onga food seasoning, Top Tea and Amila instant fruit flavoured powdered drink.

The company has a factory in Lagos and depots all over the country from where its products are packaged and distributed to consumers nationwide. The company has recorded remarkable growth over the years and it presently employs more than 1,000 Nigerians in various aspects of its operations.

　

FG to Grant Scholarships to Winners of Cowbell NASSMAC to Study Mathematics at University Level

Abuja, Nigeria, 5 July 2012: The Federal Government has promised to grant scholarships to any winner of the Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) who choose to study Mathematics at the university level.



L-R: Professor Sagir Abbas, Special Adviser on Education to the Minister of Education, Professor (Mrs.) Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I, Master Uwa Benjamin, overall winner senior category star prize  , Professor Adewale Solarin; Acting Director-General, National Mathematics Centre,  Master Akintokun Gboyega , overall winner junior category star prize and Chief Keith Richards at the 2012 Cowbell NASSMAC prize giving ceremony in Abuja yesterday.

Professor Adewale Solarin , Acting Director-General /Chief Executive of the National Mathematics Centre (NMC) disclosed this in Abuja yesterday at the prize giving ceremony of the 2012 Cowbell NASSMAC  ceremony.

Master Uwa Benjamin a 15 year-old SSS 2 student of Iganmode Grammar School, Ota, Ogun State was the overall winner in the senior secondary school category with a total score of 96 per cent while Master Akintokun Samuel Gboyega, a JSS 2 student of Ota Total Academy, also in Ota, Ogun State emerged the overall winner in the junior secondary school category. 

Professor Solarin said students should adopt the idea that better is not good enough, they must strive beyond, remarking that for the Vision 20:2020 of the Federal Government to become a reality, efforts must be geared towards science education, training and development, saying this is the bedrock for national development.

The director –General  said he hoped that “Our students will continue to take advantage of the Cowbell Mathematics competition and other competitions to prepare themselves for the challenges ahead as future leaders of this great country.”

Professor Solarin said Promasidor, makers of Cowbell Milk has over the years, demonstrated its resolve not only to contribute towards the development of the nation ,but also assist in the advancement of mathematics education in Nigeria, through the organization and sponsorship of the National Secondary School Mathematics Competition.

He said this development has endeared the company to the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Mathematics Centre and indeed to all states’  ministries of education and other stakeholders, remarking that the prize giving ceremony was historical as it was another step towards addressing the problem of apparent loss of pupils’ interest in Mathematics.

Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Professor (Mrs.) Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I said the Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) which has become a national competition covering the 36 states of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is annually organize to rekindle students’ interest in Mathematics at junior and secondary schools in Nigeria through well guided seminars, workshops, counseling and career talk.

He said it is also a forum for identifying and selecting excellent and gifted student participants to represent Nigeria at the various International Mathematics competitions and the Olympiad.

The minister who was represented by her Special Adviser on Education, Professor Sagir Abbas also noted that Promasidor has been providing financial assistance to schools and students in a bid to promote science, technology and Mathematics education in Nigeria.

Earlier in his address of welcome, Chief Keith Richards (OBE), Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria quoted Isaac Barrow, an English classical scholar, theologian and renowned Mathematician as saying that “Mathematics is the unshaken Foundation of Science.”

He said Barrow recognized that Mathematics was a universal language and the bedrock of science and technological advancement.

“We at Promasidor Nigeria Limited clearly recognize this fact and have been sponsoring NASSMAC for more than a decade through our flagship brand- Cowbell, “Richards said.

He said the primary objective of this CSR initiative is to arouse and re-awaken interest in Mathematics amongst secondary school students as a road map to nation building.

              

ET&S: South Africa: Is Marketing Moving With the Times?

ET&S: South Africa: Is Marketing Moving With the Times?: pinion  A few years ago I calculated that, every year in South Africa, roughly R50 billion was wasted on ill-conceived or just plain bad ma...




comment

Before now, production process and good concept of product design were all that was need so drive sales. But now the story is no longer the same, the consumer is the king and everything should centre on him. Often time, the consumer is barraged with diverse communications ad that some create conflict of choice. That is the reason why every company that desires to succeed in the 21st century should employ the tool of Market research not only to make decision but also to keep relevance.

South Africa: Is Marketing Moving With the Times?

pinion A few years ago I calculated that, every year in South Africa, roughly R50 billion was wasted on ill-conceived or just plain bad marketing.

This revelation came on the heels of research produced by Millward Brown, that showed 20% of all advertising not only didn't work but actually impacted negatively on the brands it was supposed to be promoting.

So, have things improved? Is marketing still efficient or continuing to shed money as though there was no tomorrow?

Deregulation
 Since 1994, there has not only been considerable deregulation but this country has become well and truly integrated into the international community in every sense of the word - business, sport, culture and crime.

The past couple of decades have seen a major change in the psyche of the South African consumer from being too timid or terrified to complain to toy-toying at the drop of a hat. Global competition has come home to roost.

But still our marketers are sticking to old-fashioned stereotype strategies.

Strategies that pay lip-service to the concept of customer care - our service levels are still pitifully low. Surprisingly enough, it seems to be the previously disadvantaged, who were largely excluded from front-line marketing in the past, who seem to have a firmer grasp and understanding of the importance of customers than those with decades of experience in the marketing field.

Customer service sucks
Customer service, quality and employee development in the marketing field still seem inexorably stuck on wall plaques and in mission statements, rather than put into practice.

But where marketing really seems adrift in the doldrums is in the field of communications.

From a PR point of view, marketers still hang on to naïve and horrendously defensive strategies to protect their products, brands and companies. They're like parents who just can't accept that little Johnny isn't a gullible five-year-old anymore but a young, mature adult.

And, on the advertising front, it is even worse. It is as though those creative teams responsible for our advertising are either stuck in the 1980's or floundering about in desperation. Quite apart from which, I am convinced that not many of our creatives make a point of consuming media to the same degree as their target markets.

Because far too many advertisements suggest that they are completely out of touch with the media which they are employing as a communications tool.

Consumptive media
The main problem seems to be coming to terms with the dramatic changes in media consumption over the past two decades.

Twenty years ago, when South Africa was isolated from international sport, art, culture and to a large degree, business as well, we not only had a lot of time to devote to media, particularly newspapers, television and magazines, but we simply had to keep in touch with what was going on around us, if only to look for clues in the news as to whether we were to live or die in a bloody revolution.

Now things are completely different. We don't need to read or watch the news to know if we are going to live or die - that's a given and depends entirely on our lack of luck with regard to hijackers, Aids and road traffic.

While all of this explains drops in newspaper readership, for example, it also suggests that we have all sorts of other things that demand out attention. The internet and international sport, to name but two.

Shocking shock tactics
All of which means that we have less time and inclination to watch, read and listen to advertisements. And marketers have reacted to this by trying to "shock" consumers into noticing ads. Or entice them with what look like Hollywood productions. Which, in my opinion is a suicidal strategy because consumers, frankly, have far better things to do than work out the subtleties of an ad.

Perhaps it's time to go back to basics in marketing communications. After all, isn't this that the consumer is crying out for?

"Cut the platitudes, shock tactics, subtleties and guesswork; just tell us what you're flogging and one good reason why we should buy it," is what I hear the market saying.

So, has marketing really changed in SA? The short answer is no. Because everything you have read above is pretty much word for word what I wrote 12 years ago. Nothing has really changed.

MillwardBrown lists benefits of research in product development

MILLWARDBROWN, a global research agency, which specialises in advertising, marketing communications, media and brand equity research, has emphasised the need for advertising agencies and business organisations in the country to get expert advice on marketing communication in brand development.

According to the Managing Director, MillwardBrown, Ghana, Soumya Saklani, investing in research creative development process to test strategy and ideas could help save time, costs and ensure that there is return on investment.

Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday in Lagos to announce the company debut in Nigeria, Saklani stated that the company, with 82 offices in 52 countries, which work with 90 per cent of the top 100 global brands, was set to bring new innovation into marketing communication in Nigeria.

According to him, the company is determined to provide research-based consultancy to help marketers successfully manage their brands, optimise the return on their media and communications investments, and create value for their businesses, employees and shareholders.

He explained, “what differentiates us from other agencies is our passion for brands. As a leading global research agency specialising in advertising, marketing communications, media and brand equity research, we’ve been in the business of brands for more than 35 years.

“Our focus on all things “brand” is fuelled by our clients’ expectations for success and our own appetite for challenge, insight, solutions and innovation.

“We have helped our clients build strong brands and services through research-based consultancy and today, we continue to push the boundaries of marketing research and brand consulting wherever we go.”

Also, the Managing Director of the company in Nigeria, Ugo Geri-Robert, identified Nigeria as the ‘powerhouse’ of Africa, adding that tremendous growth in recent times, rising income levels and consumer aspirations has further increased marketers’ needs to understand real-time how their brands are evolving on their journey and their communications connecting with consumers and by extension their requirement for consumer research.

“Nigeria is at the centre of any growth prediction for Africa and West Africa, a potential BRIC country. If you mean business in Sub - Saharan you must be in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.

“For our global clients, who work with us across the globe, they can expect the same set of our proprietary solutions, high quality of service & cutting-edge insights & advice that has made then choose Millward Brown as their global research partner.

“For marketers, who we haven’t as yet had an opportunity to work for, they can expect from us solid research based insights & recommendations that can help them obtain a stronger return on investment from their marketing communications & strengthen their brands,” he added.

Global Market Research Firm, Millward Brown Makes Entry into Nigeria

WPP-owned global marketing research company, Millward Brown has formally established an office in Nigeria, five years after operating in Ghana from where it served its Nigerian clients. In 2007, it planned to set up a full operational office in the country but was discouraged by complex and cumbersome registration process.

But Nigeria, big market to ignore and Africa’s ‘powerhouse,’ is enthralling to Millward Brown that has beat all odds to set up shop in Nigeria to provide service in marketing communication research to more clients and create value in Nigeria’s over N100 billion advertising industry. Established in the UK in 1974, the objective of the company in Nigeria is to assist organisations, which spend huge sums on advertising yearly, to develop strong advertisements that meet and connect with consumers.

The company’s coming will definitely jolt rethinking in advertising business as a lot of money goes into especially TV advertising. Clients will begin to re-examine the process and their advertisement to ensure they are gotten right with expected ROI achieved. “Our strategy therefore is to help them test the advertisement before they make the massive big budget commitment,” Soumya Saklani, managing director, Millward Brown West Africa, told BusinessDay last week in Lagos.

In some instances, advertisements are produced with good lyrics and visuals to the delight of viewers but do not connect with the consumers and ultimately fall short of creating the necessary impact. To Saklani, advert testing is about optimisation of adverts with the objective of ensuring that advertisers get value for their money.

Clarifying that such expertise insight is complementary to the work of creative agencies, he said the idea is to help organisations save money and focus advert copy and visuals directly in order to achieve return on investment. “Ineffective ad is a sheer waste of money and resources,” he noted.

“In the UK, we test a number of adverts, some of which have won awards. We are the best friends of advertisers. In advert testing, it is the creative agencies that win the glory,” he stated. Second leg of Millward Brown’s objective in Nigeria is brand health research. Under this role, it will help clients understand the strength of their brands in the minds of their consumers.

“We tell our clients what the consumers think about their brands and what they should do for their brands to stand out,” he said. According to him, my strong motivation in Nigeria is based on the fact that Nigeria is without doubt the ‘powerhouse’ of Africa and one of the continent’s leading and most dynamic growth economies, and a significant member of the ‘Next 11’ club of growth countries.

“Tremendous growth in recent times, rising income levels and consumer aspirations has even further increased marketers’ need to understand real-time how their brands are evolving on their journey and their communication connecting with consumers and by extension their requirement for consumer research,” he disclosed.

On how Millward Brown, which offers a full qualitative and quantitative research service in 51 countries working across a wide range of industries and categories, will compete in the local market, the managing director of Millward Brown Nigeria, Ugo Geri-Robert, said “we are not everything but have passion for brands specialising in advertising, marketing communication, media and brand equity research.”

Speaking on the level of research in Africa, she said Africa ratio is about 3 - 4 percent of the global research. In Nigeria, it is lower when compared with other African countries, because the research culture is still evolving.

Mobile now drives consumer spending

Kenyan consumers are increasingly turning to social media and mobile phone advertising to guide their spending. This development has seen corporates battle to come up with strategies to tap into the lucrative marketing.


A survey of Kenyans’ digital habits by research firm TNS RMS East Africa found that 73 per cent of Kenyans would be happy doing all their Internet surfing on their phones.

Further, 67 per cent use social media to research brands, and around half of them would like to be able to purchase products through social networks.

“Growth in Internet access offers big opportunities for brands and marketers that can be explored with the right strategies,” said the TNS associate director of technology, Mr Bob Bugoyne.

Other medium

And according to research data released last month by mobile advertising firm, InMobi, Kenyans are using mobile phones more than any other medium.

In the InMobi survey, 89 per cent of users said they were as comfortable with mobile advertising as with television or newspaper advertising.

Entrenchment of the mobile culture was so pervasive that even while consuming other media, Kenyans still used their mobile phones to connect to the Internet and confirm information, a phenomenon known as second screening.
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TNS found that 19 per cent of Kenyans use their mobile phones to find out more about products that they had just seen advertised on television, while 21 per cent use them to find out about product availability in stores.

Despite the wide engagement with brands online, consumers were quickly turned off if they felt that corporates were intruding into their private spheres. TNS discovered that users are more likely to trust complete strangers than firms promoting their products.

“Digital marketing can actively create brand-resistant consumers. Brands cannot control messaging. Even a stranger on the other side of the world is trusted more,” said Mr Bugoyne.

This leaves companies that hope to leverage on social media and mobile phones in a predicament. They cannot explicitly market their products, yet it would be foolish to ignore the opportunity.

The solution, according to Mr Bugoyne, lies in waiting for consumers to invite companies onto their networks. When consumers post comments online about services or products, this amounts to an invitation.

TNS says that 77 per cent of users use social media as a customer service channel. Fifty-two per cent of them expect responses from companies, and when they are ignored their perception of a company and a brand is negatively warped.

“The majority of those talking about brands have wide social networks with an average of 250 contacts. They do have the ability to make or harm a brand,” said Mr Bugoyne