Indian Business man Injects $15bn Into Nigerian Economy

President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the proposed investment of $5 billion in the economy by Indian business community.

Already, India had invested $10 billion in the economy. President Buhari also said Nigeria would continue to expand its relationship with India in the areas of health, education, agriculture, technology and trade. The President spoke while receiving the Indian Vice President, Mohammad Hamid Ansari, who visited the State House, Abuja, yesterday with a business delegation from his country. President Buhari said Nigeria had over the years, benefited from the cooperation of the Asian country in trade and investment, agriculture, technology and the fight against terrorism. He said Nigeria would emulate the Asian country’s agricultural model and capacity to feed its one billion population, and also export to other countries, describing the country as “sustainable and prosperous.” The President noted that Nigeria would continue to support the reform of the United Nations Security Council, pointing out that it was unfair on the rest of the world for five countries to exercise power of “yes or no” in the UN. In his remarks, the Indian Vice President said his country, which is the leading buyer of Nigeria’s crude oil, will increase its purchase of the commodity in addition to natural gas.

TENSION IN SOUTH – EAST OVER OCT 1 DEADLINE FOR SPEED LIMITERS

Anxiety pervades commercial fleet operators and commuters in the south-east geo-political zone over the October 1, commencement of enforcement on Speed Limiters by the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, on all commercial vehicles nationwide.

This is even as transporters and commuters in unison, accused FRSC of using the scheme to allegedly extort transporters, a situation they fear will paralyze free flow of movement in the region. They further lamented the cost of installation, wondering why it should come at a time when eighty percent of the populace can hardly afford a meal per day. From our survey at some commercial fleet operator’s depot showed that apart from Peace Mass Transit, PMT, and ABC Transport Company who recorded hundred percent compliance, other fleet operators had no plans of complying with the installation demand from FRSC. Further checks also revealed that there is apprehension as to how people will get to their various destinations given FRSC commitment to enforce the installation. Already, a battery of FRSC stop-and-check patrol team have been mounted at Ogui, Independence, New Haven axis of Enugu metropolis preparatory to October 1, enforcement.

WHERE IS JUMOKE ORISAGUNA?

THE BREAD SELLER WHO TURNED INTO A SUPER MODEL How a photobomb created a star.

It's a classic case of being in the right place at the right time. A young street seller oblivious to the scene ahead, her wares perched atop her head, photobombed a shoot and in that split second, her life changed forever. Jumoke Orisaguna is a mother of two who used to walk the streets of Lagos selling bread. Originally a hairstylist from Osun State, south west Nigeria, she was struggling to make ends meet, and left her husband and two children in their home town to become a street vendor in the economic capital. Working from 2:30pm to 11:00pm selling bread, Jumoke would make less than $20 each day --with a profit of around $1. The super top model and mother of two has been given a scholarship to complete her education, and a bank has offered to pay for schooling for her two children, aged five and one, until university age. The story of Jumoke Orisaguna. Is a phenomenal story. But where is Jumoke, the bread seller now a super-rich model.

GOtv introduces pay as you view bouquet.

Monthly subscription for GOtv Lite is N400

Gotv currently is the most affordable pay-tv bouquet in Nigeria. About a month ago, GOtv launched a new package called GOtv Lite, GOtv Lite targets existing subscribers, and gives those who opt-in access to over 20 channels. One interesting thing about the package is its alias, Small Pepper. The brand curators explain that they played on the use of ‘pepper’ as a slang for money. Small Pepper thus translating to small money, connoting the affordability of the package. So how affordable is Small Pepper? The monthly subscription for GOtv Lite is N400. Subscribers are also given the option to pay N1, 050 quarterly which works out to N350 a month or N3, 100 yearly. The annual subscription also gives subscribers a further discount as it works out to N258.33 for one month. I did a little comparative analysis to find out what one can buy with N258 in present day Nigeria, especially when one considers the current devaluation of the Naira, and here’s what I came up with – a loaf of bread, GSM airtime, a bar of bathing soap or a packet of detergent. At the end of the exercise, I realized that the pricing of GOtv Lite essentially places pay-tv in the category as basic necessities, or what economists classify as essential goods. This is worthy of note because pay-tv is a discretionary service. In economics, a discretionary consumer good is a non-essential item such as entertainment, a vacation or car. They are purchased with excess income after other essentials such as food and shelter have been taken care of. Value for money Some subscribers have questioned the channel selection, saying that they do not see the value of the package because it carries majorly local channels. They say they will rather watch free-to-air using an antenna. To them, GOtv Lite would be an option if Africa Magic, Zee World and Telemundo were added to the bouquet, but that is debatable. For those consumers, the first and very fundamental value they will be missing is the better picture and sound quality which GOtv offers. I was at the dry cleaner’s a few days ago and while waiting to be attended to, I was reminded of what watching on an analogue transmission feels like. The picture quality was deplorable although the TV was connected to an antenna booster. The TV was tuned to Wazobia TV (which is also available on GOtv) but the clarity of the pictures on analogue transmission cannot be compared to what you see on GOtv. For the first time since I became a pay-tv subscriber about four years ago, I appreciated the value which low-end services such as GOtv have added to the masses. Whilst still trying to come to terms with the poor picture quality on the TV, I saw a poster with a number requesting for suggestions on to how to improve service. I couldn’t hold back, so I sent a text advising the outlet to get on GOtv Lite – at least a N3100 annual subscription should be negligible to a Lagos-based dry-cleaning outfit. The second benefit of GOtv Lite are the international channels which have been strategically selected. And I say strategically because they target different viewing needs. There is JimJam which gives children access to cartoons. If you do not know anything about this channel, I believe you are familiar with Barney, one of the channel’s famous characters, which most children love. As Nigerian music takes center stage, subscribers can enjoy the best of home grown music and sounds from across Africa on Afro Music Pop. Al Jazeera gives access to international news. E.TV Africa is a general entertainment channel showcasing Nollywood movies, series, talk shows, sports and news. I particularly find the ‘Did You Know’ segment on this channel very informative and a good source of current affairs for children. Emmanuel TV, Faith, and Islam channel offer religious programming and SuperSport Blitz, needs no introduction. For women who are hooked on Nollywood and Bollywood series or telenovelas, they will find similar content on Galaxy TV, ONtv Max and TVC Entertainment. Given the current economic recession, I believe that the launch of GOtv is timely and I would recommend it to anyone who is feeling the bite of the harsh economy.

Awof cash for GOtv Boxers

Gotv boxing Night 9: Organisers Promise Adequate Security Flykite Promotions, organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, have assured fans coming to the ninth edition of the event of adequate security in and around the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, Mr. Jenkins Alumona, Managing Director, Flykite Promotions, explained that fans have nothing to fear when they come for the event taking place on 2 October. “Security has always been great attention at every edition of GOtv Boxing Night. That is not about to change. Fans, who are the soul of the sport, need to feel safe to enjoy themselves. One of our partners, KSquare Security, is a top-tier security firm with vast experience in the handling of big events like this. There is nothing to fear,”. A total of seven bouts are scheduled for GOtv Boxing Night 9, with two of them bringing Nigeria and Ghana in a head-on sporting collision. Nigeria’s Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, incumbent national light welterweight champion, will test himself against Ghana’s Raphael “Iron King” Kwabena King. National lightweight champion, Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph, will duel with Richard “Desert Warrior” Amefu, also of Ghana. Equally on the cards in the national cruiserweight title fight between the champion, Ekeng “Fighting Policeman” Henshaw and Idowu “ID Cabasa” Okusote. In the light heavyweight category, Adewale “Masevex” Masebinu’s mettle will be tested against national champion, Jude “Great Jude” Iloh, while Emmanuel “ Mopol Man” Igwe will slug it out with Kabiru “KB Godson” Towolawi. Meanwhile in the second lightweight contest on the night, Prince “Lion” Nwoye will fight Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan. The light middleweight division will see a challenge duel between Ebubechukwu “Coded Man” Edeh up against Semiu “Jagaban” Olapade, Mr Jenkins Alumona said the event will be broadcasted live by SuperSport in 47 African countries, and the winner will go home with a cash prize of N1.5million

Unbelievable! Bag of rice to sell at N9000 – APGA

– Governor Willie Obiano says Nigerians should turn their eyes towards the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – Obiano says the party will field a presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections – The Anambra state governor says rice would sell for N9000 if APGA is given a chance

The Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano, on Monday, September 19, said if the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is given a chance, a bag of rice will cost only N9000

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state has said that the cost of living for Nigerians would be drastically reduced if APGA is given a chance, come 2019. Obiano hinted that APGA has prepared its house, and would field a presidential candidate in the 2019 general election. The governor, who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the party, said if voted into power, an APGA national government would drastically reduce the cost of a living in Nigeria. The Punch reports that, Obiano stated this in Awka, the Anambra state capital, during the inauguration of ‘Governor Willie Obiano Support Group’, Awka South Chapter. Represented by his special adviser on Political Matters, Mr. Chinedu Obidigwe, Obiano said APGA would want to prove to Nigerians that the party had the solution to the country’s woes. He said: “Anambra is a case study for good governance. If APGA will be given the opportunity to rule Nigeria a bag of rice will reduce N9,000. “What Anambra has done in agriculture, which resulted in the state having its own brand of rice (Anambra rice) would be replicated at a bigger scale should APGA win the presidential election. “The state has used scarce resources to resuscitate the state’s economy, leading to infrastructural development and timely payment of workers’ salary,” Obiano stated.

MultiChoice Reiterates Commitment To Greater Subscriber Satisfaction

Leading video entertainment provider, MultiChoice Nigeria, has reiterated its commitment to better service delivery to its subscribers. In a statement released on Wednesday, the company said greater attention is being paid to issues that affect subscribers’ enjoyment of DStv services. Notable among these are signal loss, subscription payment and reconnection, customer care services, Free-to-Air channels and hardware related issues. “We put our customers first at all times and hold them in high very esteem. We are committed to delivering world class service to our customers and proud to say we are the first video entertainment company to implement new subscriber initiatives requested by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC). Over the past year, we have worked closely with the CPC to identify our customers’ areas of need and made a commitment towards implementing solutions that will resonate with our customers and lead to improved service,” the company said. On the issue of customer care services, MultiChoice explained that the call centre hours have been extended to accommodate more queries. “Call centre operating hours are now 8am to 9pm on Saturdays, Sunday and public holidays. In addition, toll free numbers have been introduced on major network providers”, MultiChoice stated. The toll free lines are 09090630333 for Etisalat, 07080630333 for Airtel, 08113630333 for Glo and 08149860333 for MTN. This means that customers’ calls to the call centre are toll free when they call the corresponding numbers of their mobile network. The company equally explained that customers now have the option of suspending their accounts while they are away from home. This, it stated, will be upon request and a 48-hour notice that the account be suspended for a fixed period between seven to fourteen days twice yearly. Other subscriber-focused initiatives, the company added, include access to Free-to-Air channels at the expiration of subscription and upon the payment of a nominal fee, improved content on its mid-level offering, DStv Compact, providing greater value to subscribers. In addition, from time to time, the company opens premium content on the higher bouquets for an entire week to DStv subscribers irrespective of their subscription status.