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.”

Diamond Bank appoints TPT International

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.

NOC Lauds Promasidor’s Sponsorship of Team Nigeria to London 2012 Olympic Games

Lagos, Nigeria, April 27, 2012: The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has commended Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, for sponsoring Team Nigeria to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

President of the NOC, Engineer Sani M. Ndansua made the commendation in Lagos yesterday at an event to celebrate 100 Days to the Olympic Games by the British Government and also to collect biometrics data of all accredited Nigerian athletes, officials and media representatives.

L-R: Honourable Tunde Popoola, Secretary-general, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC); Engineer Sanni M. Ndanusa, President, NOC; Mr. Andrew Enahoro, Head, Legal and Public Relations of Promasidor Nigeria Limited and Mr. Peter West, Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria at the London 2012 Olympic Games - Collection of Biometrics Data in Lagos yesterday.

Biometrics data collection is a key part of the accreditation / entry visa processes for the London Games.

Mr. Peter West, Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria said the biometrics process has become imperative to make the journey of the Nigerian athletes and officials going to the Olympics easy.

He said the British Government would also use the period of the Olympics to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Queen of England’s ascension to the throne, adding that hosting the Olympics is a tremendous honour for his country.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities, Cowbell Milk, one of the flagship brands from the stable of Promasidor Nigeria Limited has been announced as the Official Milk for the Nigerian contingent to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The announcement was made at a signing ceremony held at the head office of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) at the National Stadium, Lagos recently.

Managing Director of Promasidor, Chief Keith Richards, said that Nigeria is blessed with teeming youth with amazing sports talent, and the Olympics is a huge stage for our nation’s sport talents to fulfil their dreams and make our nation, Nigeria proud.

 “For this reason, we have decided to nourish their dreams for gold at this year’s Olympics by our partnership with the Nigeria Olympic Committee as the official milk nourishment for our athletes to the Olympic Games.” 

Chief Richards further stated that that Promasidor would be rewarding outstanding athletes who won gold, silver and bronze medals with N1.5m, N1m and N500, 000 respectively along with a year’s supply of Cowbell milk.

//Ends.

Cowbell NASSMAC First Stage Exams



L-R Mr. Segun Balogun, Sales Manager, Promasidor Nigeria limited; Gbotosho Abiola, representative, Education District II Maryland Lagos; Mr. Bayo Ibiyeye, director, Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Lagos State and Mr. Donald Abbe, Manager, Neo Media Limited at the 2012 Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition Examination Centre in Lagos recently.

L-R Mrs. Fadola Solabomi, principal, Immaculate Heart Comprehensive Junior High School, Maryland Lagos; Mr. Paul Elumah, MD, Peloga Ventures, (consultant to the project) and Mr. Bayo Ibiyeye, director, Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Lagos State at the 2012 Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition Examination Centre in Lagos recently.

 L-R Mrs. Akande Christianah Olore, official, Lagos State Ministry of Education; Mr. Balogun Samuel, Sales Manager, Promasidor Nigeria limited and Mr. Kareem Abiodun, district officer, Alimosho Local Government Council Area, Lagos State at the 2012 Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition Examination Centre in Lagos recently...

L-R Miss Linus Joy, JSS3 Student, Herald Private School; Master Albert Ifeanyi Miracle, SS2 student, Prime Heritage Schools and Miss Dododawa Mariam, SS2 student, Briggs Gate Comprehensive College, all participants and Cowbell raffle draw winners at the 2012 Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition Examination Centre in Lagos recently...

L-R Miss Dododawa Mariam, SS2 student, Briggs Gate Comprehensive College, Master, Akinlotan Micheal, JSS3 student, Abbot Dayspring Schools; Master Okafor Favour Chibuikem Jss 3 student, Obomruf Ojoola Junior High School all participants and Cowbell raffle draw winners at the 2012 Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition Examination Centre in Lagos recently.

NBC HOSTS 200 FARMERS ACROSS NIGERIA TO MARK WORLD WATER DAY

To commemorate the United Nations’ World Water Day, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) today hosted 200 crop and fish farmers in six states across Nigeria to a session on water management and food security facilitated by experts from the Agriculture and Water  Resources fields.

The event held at Abuja, Apapa, Enugu, Owerri, Ilorin And Jos.

 

Irrigation system being used to combat food security

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs and Communications, Mrs. Adeyanju Olomola, Today, she noted that “In alignment with this year’s theme of ‘Water and Food Security’ we are hosting farmers from our host community as the 2012  ‘Water Ambassadors’ to jointly reflect on the importance of water in food production. Statistics show that there is a correlation between dearth of water and hunger and diseases. Therefore, it becomes imperative that we appreciate the need to maximize water use to ensure food security for our teeming population. We hope that as we leave here today, we all should have imbibed some water conservation practices to ensure that we have water all year round for agricultural production.”

Since 2009, NBC has leveraged the United Nations’ World Water Day to engage annually with strategic segments of our society to advocate for safe water practices under its ‘Water Ambassadors’ programme. In 2010, the company hosted Nigerian students across the country on a similar programme to enlist the students as advocates of water issues in their different communities.

 

She further explained that the business recognizes the importance of water because our ability to grow is related to the availability and quality of local water resources. “We understand that by targeting water access and promoting water security, NBC is fundamentally supporting the long-term socio-economic development of communities and Nigeria by extension. Access to safe water contributes to healthy communities, which in turn releases the full potential of the people to thrive on their various enterprises thereby assuring vibrant and productive local economies. When our communities are sustainable, we are successful as a business.” She stated.

 ‘Water Stewardship’ is a major plank of NBC’s Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability imperatives. The company has continued to invest in the provision of potable water in water-stressed communities around its 13 bottling plants, 28 commercial territories and 59 depots. On a broader note, NBC’s water strategy is encapsulated in the 3Rs of: Reduce, Replenish and Recycle.

 

Reduce - Since 2004, NBC has continuously set annual water use reduction (WUR) targets to reduce the volume of water consumed in its operations by investing in water-saving technologies to control water use and also recycle waste water in some stages of the production process for less-stringent house-keeping tasks. To date, the company has achieved a 52.5% reduction.

Recycle - All NBC’s thirteen (13) bottling plants have fully functional on-site Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs). These plants ensure that waste water from our bottling operations are recycled and discharged back to the environment at a level that supports aquatic life and agriculture.

Replenish – NBC continues to work at providing access to safe water in our communities. On Monday, NBC signed a partnership, Safe Water for Africa, with Guinness Nigeria, Coca-Cola Nigeria and TY Danjuma Foundation. With the realisation that no one company has the resources required to fully undertake the task of providing access to safe water to communities across the country, these four organisations have come together under the Safe Water for Africa partnership to jointly lead sustainable access to safe water for five million Africans by 2015. This initiative is open to organisations who share our passion to provide safe water to water-stressed communities.

Promasidor unveils new variants of Top Tea

Promasidor Nigeria Limited, a fast moving consumer goods company, is set to launch new variants of Top Tea into the tea bag market on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 in Lagos. The new variants are lime and lemon flavour and ginger flavour.

According to the Marketing Director of the company, Mr. Kachi Onubogu, these new variants are being introduced to offer consumers different choices and also add fun, excitement and refreshment to tea consumption. 

“Our target consumers are becoming as health conscious as ever and rightly so. The flavour options are expected to provide the secondary need state requirement of fun, excitement and refreshment. Further to that, with our new offerings we are treating the consumers to a thrilling world of choices,” Onubogu added.

The new variants will offer consumers flavour quick infusion and high quality brew for their ideal brand of tea (Top Tea already delivers on these attributes). Other key attributes are convenience, good taste and flavour/aroma.

“At different consumption occasion, Top Tea has got a great deal to offer, you may do breakfast with regular black tea, reach for vitality during lunch with Top Tea Ginger flavour and indulge yourself with the Lemon/Lime flavour at dinner,” Onubogu stressed.

It will be recall that Top Tea was launched in April 1998 to satisfy consumers’ demand for high quality and high infusion rate tea. In 2009, Promasidor Nigeria took a strategic decision to reposition Top Tea as a more contemporary and trendier brand.

Promasidor is one of the leading multinationals in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector of the Nigerian economy producing quality consumer products.

It has achieved tremendous growth since 1993 when it commenced operations, and presently employs about 2,000 people across the country.

Promasidor holds a leading position in the Nigerian powdered milk market with its Cowbell Milk brand.

It sells its products in many neighbouring countries, including Benin, Niger, Chad and the Central African Republic.

50, 000 students expected at NASSMAC first stage exam

Lagos, Nigeria, 06 March, 2012: About 50,000 students are expected to write the first stage examination of the Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition slated for March 17, 2012.

Mr. Kachi Onubogu, marketing director of Promasidor, makers of Cowbell milk, disclosed this in Lagos, adding that they are expecting 50,000 students pan Nigeria. About 34,000 students participated in the 2011 edition of NASSMAC.  

The examination will hold in 200 centres across Nigeria.

The competition is open to all students between 10 – 18 years of age in JSS3 and SSS2 attending full time secondary education in government approved schools in Nigeria. The examination will be supervised by officials of the States Ministries of Education and Promasidor personnel in all the centres nationwide.

Students with the highest scores in both the junior and the senior categories from each state will be invited for the second and final stage examination from where the national prize winners shall emerge.

“The best three students in each category at the state level will receive the following cash prizes for their outstanding performance at the first stage examination: first prize N25, 000, second prize N20, 000 and third prize N15, 000,” he added.

The Cowbell NASSMAC started in 1998 with the aim of helping students to demystify mathematics. The competition creates a credible platform for identification and celebration of outstanding students and recognition of exceptional ability.

Already, stakeholders in the education sector had recently endorsed the Cowbell NASSMAC.

Lagos State Commissioner of Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye who commended Promasidor for the initiative also enjoined Mathematics teachers across the country to encourage their students to develop interest in the study of the subject rather than being afraid of it.

Oladunjoye who was represented by Mr. Semasa Sutton, a director in the Lagos State Ministry of Education also advised students not to be afraid of Mathematics, because it is like any other subjects.

In her contribution, Mrs. O.O.Ajibade, a deputy registrar with the West African Examination Council (WAEC) commended Promasidor for the bold initiative of promoting the study of Mathematics in the country and asked other companies to take a cue from it.

She noted that Promasidor was by extension encouraging the study of science courses through the NASSMAC because Mathematics is one of the gateway subjects students need to move forward educationally.

 //End.

Cowbell NASSMAC first stage exams to hold in 200 centres

Lagos, Nigeria, 06 March, 2012: The first stage examination of Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) billed for March 17, 2012 will hold in 200 centres across Nigeria.

Mr. Kachi Onubogu, marketing director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell milk, disclosed this in Lagos; remarking that about 50,000 students are expected to write the first stage examination.

About 34,000 students participated in the 2011 edition of NASSMAC.  

The competition is open to all students between 10 – 18 years of age in JSS3 and SSS2 attending full time secondary education in government approved schools in Nigeria. The examination will be supervised by officials of the States Ministries of Education and Promasidor personnel in all the centres nationwide.

Students with the highest scores in both the junior and the senior categories from each state will be invited for the second and final stage examination from where the national prize winners shall emerge.

“The best three students in each category at the state level will receive the following cash prizes for their outstanding performance at the first stage examination: first prize N25, 000, second prize N20, 000 and third prize N15, 000,” he added.

The Cowbell NASSMAC started in 1998 with the aim of helping students to demystify mathematics. The competition creates a credible platform for identification and celebration of outstanding students and recognition of exceptional ability.

Already, stakeholders in the education sector had recently endorsed the Cowbell NASSMAC.

Lagos State Commissioner of Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye who commended Promasidor for the initiative also enjoined Mathematics teachers across the country to encourage their students to develop interest in the study of the subject rather than being afraid of it.

Oladunjoye who was represented by Mr. Semasa Sutton, a director in the Lagos State Ministry of Education also advised students not to be afraid of Mathematics, because it is like any other subjects.

In her contribution, Mrs. O.O.Ajibade, a deputy registrar with the West African Examination Council (WAEC) commended Promasidor for the bold initiative of promoting the study of Mathematics in the country and asked other companies to take a cue from it.

She noted that Promasidor was by extension encouraging the study of science courses through the NASSMAC because Mathematics is one of the gateway subjects students need to move forward educationally.

 //End.

TPT Brand News: Registration for Cowbell maths competition first s...

TPT Brand News: Registration for Cowbell maths competition first s...: Lagos, Nigeria, February 23, 2012: Students of junior and senior secondary schools across the country have been urged to commence registr...

Starcomms initiates ambassador programme, recognition award for employees

Lagos, Nigeria; February 17, 2012: Starcomms Plc, Nigeria’s leading Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operator in the telecommunication industry, has launched an initiative that allows for more effective engagement of all its employees. It is tagged Starcomms Ambassador Programme.

Also the company has put in place a monthly recognition award for outstanding performance of its employees, as a way of rewarding and recognising their diligent efforts.

Starcomms recently organized monthly staff awards for some of its employees. Picture (Left)
shows Mr. Logan Pather presenting a certificate to Tijani Abdullahi, one of the recipients for

the month of January.

The Ambassador Programme initiative, which is targeted at all members of staff especially the non-sales employees, allows for more competitive edge by motivating  workers to promote the company’s wide variety of products and services within their circles of influences (family and friends).

Mr. Logan Pather, Starcomms CEO disclosed this recently in Lagos, remarking that one of the objectives of the programme is to encourage staffers of the company to become entrepreneurs and participate in or be responsible for the company’s sales.

Pather, while explaining the rationale for the initiative, affirmed that it is to improve the company’s bottom line among other things, and instill a sense of pride in the company’s employees as ambassadors.

Starcomms recently introduced Ambassador’s programme to reward its members of staff.
This picture shows the first set of the ambassadors: From L-R (front row) are Chidi
Ibeawuchi-Obialo; kemi Abdul; Yinka Bakre; Elizabeth Osumili; Oscar
Osondu; Joy Onyemachi.

Highlighting the benefits of this scheme, he said members of staff should avail themselves the opportunity of increasing their paycheck by earning attractive commissions for sales.

“This programme will afford our staffers the opportunity to increase their paycheck by earning attractive commissions for sales. It will also give them an idea of how they can make a difference to retaining, growing and attracting new customers. Additionally, it provides an excellent platform for product knowledge so they can answer basic questions about the company's product or service line,” Logan added.

In a related development, the company has also put in place, a monthly recognition award for outstanding performance of its employees, as a way of rewarding and recognising their diligent efforts.

According to Pather, when employees and their works are valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise and they are motivated to maintain or improve their good work, adding that, it is also an excellent strategy to raise morale and encourage higher levels of performance.

The staff recognition programme allows all employees to be eligible for recognition since the recognition supplies the specific information about what behaviors or actions are being rewarded and recognized.

Commenting on the workability of the programme, Pather maintained that the recognition is done on a monthly basis and members of staff are nominated by their supervisors and outstanding employees will receive a certificate from the company’s CEO.

He said “employee recognition is an acknowledgement of a person’s or team’s behavior, effort or business result that supports the organization’s goals and values, and which has clearly been beyond normal expectations. Starcomms recognizes the importance of this and has instituted a staff recognition programme that reinforces and rewards outstanding actions and behaviors of members of staff. When employees and their works are valued, their satisfaction and productivity rise, and they are motivated to maintain or improve their good work. It is also an excellent strategy to raise morale and encourage higher levels of performance.”

Starcomms has been at the forefront of bringing innovative services to its customers.  The company has been adjudged since 2007 as the CDMA network of the year by top telecommunication industry watchers.

//End.

Registration for Cowbell maths competition first stage exam begins

Lagos, Nigeria, February 23, 2012: Students of junior and senior secondary schools across the country have been urged to commence registration for the first stage examinations of the 2012 Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC).

The call was made in Lagos by the Marketing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell milk, Mr. Kachi Onubogu, stressing that the competition is open to all students between 10 – 18 years of age in JSS3 and SSS2 attending full time secondary education in government approved schools in Nigeria.

According to Onubogu, the best three students in both categories, i.e. junior and senior would represent each school for this year’s edition, noting that the schools can collect their registration form from Promasidor Head office / depots across Nigeria, all state ministries of education, Neo Media and Marketing Limited and can be downloaded online at www.promasidor-ng.com

The forms must be properly filled, stamped and signed by the school principal and presented by the student to the officials at the examination centre on the examination day and entry into the competition is absolutely free.

The first stage examination will hold on Saturday March 17, 2012 in 200 centres across Nigeria and details of the 200 centres will be stated in newspapers

The examination will be supervised by officials of the State Ministry of Education and Promasidor personnel in all the centres.

Students, teachers and head teachers are required to check their examination results on the company’s website: www.promasidor-ng.com as from Wednesday, May 23, 2012.

Students with the highest scores in both the junior and the senior categories from each state will be invited for the second and final stage examination from where the national prize winners shall emerge.

The best three students in each category at the state level will receive the following cash prizes for their outstanding performance at the first stage examination: first prize N25,000, second prize N20,000 and third prize N15,000.

In addition, the winners will receive branded gift items like school bags, T-shirts, pens, notebooks and certificates of recognition. 

The mathematics teachers of the winning students will not be left out. A cash award of N15,000 each will be given to teachers of the first prize winners in each state for both senior and junior categories.

The NASSMAC has been approved by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The Cowbell NASSMAC started in 1998 with the aim of helping students to demystify mathematics. The competition creates a credible platform for identification and celebration of outstanding students and recognition of exceptional ability.

The competition has become a reference point in Educational CSR in Nigeria and over the years, however, the coverage of the competition especially in the print media has been perceived as conservative.

Procter & Gamble Nigeria receives US Secretary of State Awards for Corporate Excellence in Washington D.C.



Left: Mr. Manoj Kumar, Managing Director of Procter and Gamble Nigeria (P&G)
and Mr. Joseph Stafford, Consul General of the US Consulate in Nigeria at a reception
hosted by the Consul General in Lagos in honour of the presentation of the prestigious
Award of Corporate Excellence (ACE) to P&G by the US Secretary of State, Hillary
Clinton in Washington DC recently.

 L-R: Mr. Manoj Kumar, Managing Director of Procter and Gamble Nigeria (P&G), Deaconess
Aderonke Oshinowo, Managing Director, Rondatoks Services Limited and Mr. Joseph Stafford,
Consul General of the US Consulate in Nigeria at a reception hosted by the Consul General in
Lagos in honour of  the presentation of the prestigious Award of Corporate Excellence (ACE)
to P&G by the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton in  Washington DC recently.

Stakeholders Endorse Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition

February 15, Lagos, Nigeria: Stakeholders in the education sector have endorsed the Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) instituted about 12 years ago by Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell milk.

The stakeholders gave the endorsement at the flag-off of the 12^th edition of the competition in Lagos recently.

Lagos State Commissioner of Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye who commended Promasidor for the initiative also enjoined Mathematics teachers across the country to encourage their students to develop interest in the study of the subject rather than being afraid of it.

Oladunjoye who was represented by Mr. Semasa Sutton, a director in the Lagos State Ministry of Education also advised students not to be afraid of Mathematics, because it is like any other subjects.

Also speaking in the same vein, Mrs. O.O.Ajibade, a deputy registrar with the West African Examination Council (WAEC) commended Promasidor for the bold initiative of promoting the study of Mathematics in the country and asked other companies to take a cue from it.

She noted that Promasidor was by extension encouraging the study of science courses through the NASSMAC because Mathematics is one of the gateway subjects students need to move forward educationally.

In his contribution, Deacon Olusoji Adams, who represented Alhaji Babs Animashaun, the National Co-ordinator of the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) appealed to other companies in the country to promote other subjects.

Explaining the rationale for the NASSMAC, Mr. Kachi Onubogu, Marketing Director of Promasidor Nigeria said the NASSMAC was instituted as a credible platform for identifying outstanding students and encouraging excellence among secondary school students in Nigeria.

He said the competition has rewarded many outstanding secondary school students across the country.

Describing the processes involved in participating in the competition, Onubogu stated that the competition is open to all students between 10 – 18 years of age in JSS3 and SS2, in any government approved schools in Nigeria.

“The competition is open to all students between 10 – 18 years of age in JSS3 and SSS2 attending full time secondary education in government approved schools in Nigeria.

“The best three students in both categories, i.e. junior and senior will be required to represent each school for this year’s edition. Schools who intend to participate can obtain forms from our website, or our headquarter or via our website.

“The forms must be properly filled, stamped and signed by the school principal and must be presented by the student to the officials at the examination centre on the examination day. We would ensure that students, teachers and schools are properly tutored on the mode of entry through our partners in the ministries of education, educational stakeholders and in the media”, he added.

Moreover, the first stage examination is billed to hold on Saturday, 17^th of March 2011 in 200 centres across Nigeria. Emerging students with the highest scores in Junior and Secondary categories will make it to the second and final stage examination after which the national prize winner shall emerge.

According to Onubogu, the best three students in each category at the state level will receive N25, 000, N20, 000 and N15, 000 respectively, aside other branded gift items, for their outstanding performances at the first stage examination.

The Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition began in Lagos in 1998 and within two years, expanded to other states like Anambra, Kaduna, Plateau, Oyo and Imo. And in 2001, it became a national competition spreading across all the 36 states of the federation, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

//End.

Top Tea Partners Mothbensonz on Valentine Tea Fiesta

February 14, Lagos, Nigeria: Top Tea, a brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, a fast moving consumer goods company, is partnering with Mothbensonz to host the second edition of the Valentine Tea Fiesta party on Friday February 17, 2012, at The GET Arena, Lekki, Lagos.

Mr. Demola Mafikuyomi, Brand Manager Beverages, Promasidor Nigeria said Top Tea is partnering with Mothbensonz because it is at the vanguard of re-awakening tea drinking culture among Nigerians.

In his words, “Tea is one of the healthiest beverages in the world. Top Tea is a quality blend of the very finest hand-picked teas that contains flavonoid anti-oxidants that revitalize the body and soul at a season like this and beyond. Top Tea also has theanine that can help you relax and get the best out of life. Top Tea’s red colour packaging represents love and denotes the value we owe our consumers.” 

Also speaking on the event which is in its second season, a senior official of Mothbensonz, said “Valentine is celebrated on the 14th day of February around the globe as a special day marked for celebration of love and all it stands for. It is also a day that is widely celebrated among young adults, with an opportunity to show loved ones how much they are valued. Top Tea identified with what this day stands for, by hosting the maiden edition of ‘Valentine Tea Fiesta Season I’ at The Place on Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja with DJ Jimmy Jatt. The Tea Party generated favourable feedback across the media and consumers alike, hence the Valentine Tea Fiesta Season II with red carpet.” 

The event will feature some of Nigeria’s finest artistes including Tiwa Savage, Shank, Chuddy K, Skales, GTD Guitar-man, Rayce, DJ Xclusive, and will be hosted by comedy act Seyi Law.

Tickets are available at Shoprite, Silverbird Galleria, and E-Center.

 //End.

About Promasidor

Promasidor Nigeria Limited, the makers of Top Tea 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. Its products range includes Cowbell milk, Cowbell chocolate, Cowbell flavoured milk drink, Loya full cream milk, Miksi,  Onga food seasoning and Amila instant fruit flavoured powdered drink.

Procter & Gamble Nigeria receives US Secretary of State Awards for Corporate Excellence in Washington D.C.

Lagos, January 20, 2012: Procter & Gamble’s (P&G) efforts in realizing its purpose of touching and improving the lives of Nigerian consumers was recognized today by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who presented P&G Nigeria with the prestigious U.S. Secretary of State Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) for 2011. Bob McDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer of Procter & Gamble Company received the award at a ceremony held in Washington D.C. on January 18, 2012.

P&G received one of two awards at the ceremony. One presented to a multinational, and the other presented to ‘small to medium-sized enterprises’ (SME’s).

In her opening statement at the award presentation ceremony, Hilary Clinton, the US Secretary of State said, “We are honoring these two companies because they have had an exceptional impact in giving back to the communities where they do business. They are setting the highest standards for corporate social responsibility. They are showing the world that it is indeed possible to do well by doing good”.

P&G was nominated by the US Embassy in Nigeria as well as Pakistan for this award and was shortlisted in November 2011 amongst 11 companies globally. P&G is the first company to win for programs in two countries i.e. Nigeria and Pakistan.   

According to US State Department, P&G Nigeria was recognized for the company’s corporate and brand CSR program under the ‘Live, Learn and Thrive’ platform, to improve local communities’ water supply through education and purification technology; provision for a safe and healthy working environment; supporting the health and well-being of new and expectant mothers and children through mobile clinics; and innovative educational programs for teenage girls.

While talking to the audience at the ceremony, Bob McDonald said, “P&G’s Purpose as a Company is to touch and improve lives, now and for generations to come. Our Purpose guides and inspires everything we do. For 175 years our Purpose has focused us on finding ways to make people’s everyday lives a little better. We improve lives with our brands, with our business growth, with our employee programs and with our social responsibility efforts. When we improve lives, we grow our business and by growing our business we are able to improve even more lives. It is a virtuous cycle and entirely congruent.”

Manoj Kumar, the Managing Director for P&G West Africa joined the ceremony virtually from the US Consulate in Lagos. “P&G Nigeria is honored and humbled by this award that is focused on improving lives” said Kumar. ‘This is the core of our purpose as a company and we are very fortunate to work with strong partners who share this vision – our distributors, agencies, suppliers and non-profit organizations such as Sponsor a Child, Society for Family Health and Adolescent Health and Information Projects (AHIP). Together, these organizations have implemented and are indeed still delivering truly excellent work that brings our purpose to life everyday in Nigeria.”

Since its establishment in Nigeria in 1992, P&G has invested millions of dollars in fixed capital including a Plant in Ibadan, Oyo State where its products Pampers diapers, Ariel detergent, Always sanitary pads, Vicks throat drops and Bonux Detergent are manufactured. Making up over 85% of P&G products sold in Nigeria, these brands have grown to become leading household names in Nigeria.

P&G employs about 3000 people directly and indirectly with Nigerians making up over 95% of its managers locally and some on international assignments. The company has created over 200 new successful entrepreneurs with sustained training and marketing support in rural and semi-urban areas over the past 5 years. P&G is expanding across West Africa with Nigeria as its central business hub the entire region.

P&G’s social responsibility program called Live, Learn and Thrive (LLT) focuses on the development of children of ages 0-13. With its ‘Always Care program’ Procter and Gamble provides feminine hygiene and puberty education to over 700,000 Nigerian girls every year. The company’s Pampers Baby Care Hospital Program and Mobile Clinics, touch the lives of 1.5 million young Nigerian mothers and their babies annually. ‘Building Futures’ program, a collaboration between P&G and non-profit organization ‘Sponsor a Child’ donates P&G products; Pampers diapers, Ariel detergent and PUR purifier of water purifier as well as providing learning facilities to orphanages across Nigeria. Procter and Gamble collaborates with non-profit organization, Society for Family Health on the ‘Safe Water for Nigerian Children’ program which has provided millions of litres of safe drinking water in Nigeria and the company’s Pampers/UNICEF program has provided over  7.5 million tetanus vaccines to  mothers  and their babies in Nigeria.

P&G has gained significant recognition in Nigeria. Over the past year, the company won the prestigious SERA award for Best Company in Child-Focused CSR 2011, Best Company in Corporate Social Responsibility 2011 awarded by Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria and the Conglomerate Employer of Choice 2011 award by Multi-Talent Heritage.

About Procter & Gamble

P&G touches and improves the lives of about 4.4 billion people around the world with its portfolio of trusted, quality brands.  The Company's leadership brands include Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Fairy®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun®, Fusion®, Ace®, Febreze®, and Ambi Pur®.  With operations in about 80 countries, P&G brands are available in more than 180 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands

About ACE Awards

The Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE), established by the State Department in 1999, recognizes the important role U.S. businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens.  The Award sends a strong signal of the Department’s commitment to further corporate social responsibility, innovation, exemplary practices, and democratic values worldwide.  The ACE helps define America as a positive force in the world.  It highlights our increasing outreach to the business community, our public-private partnerships, and public diplomacy efforts.  The ACE recognizes the contributions business makes to improving lives at home and abroad.