PHOTOS: Dangote Meets France President Macron

Nigerian business magnate, Aliko Dangote (left), poses next to French president Emmanuel Macron (R) prior to a meeting as part of the second edition of the 'Choose France' Summit, on January 21, 2019 in Versailles.

"Nigeria's Tourism Sector Needs Stronger Branding” ...Jumia MD, Adagunodo

The players and stakeholders in Nigeria's hospitality industry have been urged to intensify efforts towards branding the image of the hotel and tourism sector as the country continues to gain traction as one of the major tourist destinations in Africa.

This was stated by Omolara Adagunodo, the Managing Director of Jumia's hotel & flight services at a recent new year meet of tourism stakeholders in Lagos.
Adagundo added that Nigerians, as well as tourism stakeholders, should focus more on selling a positive image of Nigeria's tourism sector.

"Over the years, commendable efforts have been to project Nigeria in a positive light to the international community. This brand message now needs to be reinforced by focusing more on broadening the narrative and telling a more balanced, honest story about Nigeria," said Adagunodo.
In her remarks on what impact a stronger branding will have on Nigeria's hospitality sector, Adagunodo said: "Nigeria will automatically become a choice destination for tourists from different parts of the globe and at the same time the contribution of the sector to the country's Gross Domestic Product will significantly increase.”

The Travel and Tourism sector accounted for 1.9% of total GDP as a direct contribution, and 5.1% as a total contribution to GDP according to the Nigeria Hospitality Report. In monetary terms, Travel and Tourism contributed N2.298 billion to the GDP as a direct contribution and N6.205 billion as a total contribution to the GDP.

Adagunodo concluded saying that the contributions and figures can be higher with stronger branding as the sector has proved several times as a tool that can be deployed for brand awareness and recognition.

Apostle Suleman In Suleja, Doles Out N8m To Family, Unemployed Graduates

It would be understating the fact that servant of God and senior pastor at Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle (Prof.) Johnson Suleman, draws his strength from God. By action, he has always reaffirmed the whole purpose of his mission, which is that, if his own life story can help millions of souls across nations, then it's worth spreading."  

Because his ideology is premised on the understanding that it is fake love if it does not involve giving, Suleman regularly touches lives physically wherever and whenever he is on mission to restore people’s spiritual lives.

Suleja, Niger State, Nigeria, was the next port of call between Monday 21^st and Tuesday 22^nd of January, 2019. The ever busy Northern Emirate was mesmerized as Apostle Suleman shared messages of hope and restoration to thousands of persons at the ‘Open Heavens 2019’ crusade.

In the midst of several healing and miracles that characterized the two-day crusade, the case of a crippled girl named Aishetu Tijani, a native of Angwagwari, stood out. Aishetu who was reportedly left behind at the crusade ground by her father, Mallam Tijani, got her healing during the morning session of the second day of the crusade. The girl, stunned, left the crusade without her crutches.

Apostle Suleman, putting on display his conviction that the first way to prove that you love someone is by giving, doled out the sum of N150,000 to a man who God revealed to the cleric had planned to auction his personal belongings to raise himself financially.  

Noteworthy of Suleman’s latest charity undertakings was doling out the sum of N6.5 million to hundreds of unemployed youth. The remarkable blessing happened on Sunday, 20^th of January, 2019, at the OFM headquarters in Auchi, Edo State.

Speaking as he gave out envelopes stuffed with cash to each of the lucky young men and ladies, the ‘Restoration Apostle’ said his constant act of giving is sanctioned by God and, most importantly, he was helping the young ones so they can help themselves grow without looking onto the government for jobs.

Surviving the Harsh Realities of Setting up a Business in Nigeria: The Story of Jumia

Nigeria, despite being the largest economy in Africa, is one of the toughest places to establish small and medium scale businesses. This is because the economic environment is quite unfriendly as entrepreneurs have a potpourri of challenges to deal with. Some of these challenges include lack of power, limited capital, double taxation, unstable economic policies, and inadequate infrastructure among others.

Consequently, the chances of startups and businesses surviving are very limited or minute in Nigeria

Despite this,

there are a handful of small businesses that are braving these harsh economic realities and have grown beyond their humble beginnings. They are now serving millions of customers across Africa. A very good example is Jumia.

How Jumia started

Every global business did not just scale within months of being established. It must grow slowly, raise capital, break even and eventually become profitable. It can take years to hit the point of profitability in a country like Nigeria.

Jumia is an eCommerce company founded by Jeremy Hodara and Sacha Poignonnec in February 2012. The company started operations in Nigeria and Pakistan that same year under the name Kaymu; after receiving an undisclosed amount of seed funding from Rocket Internet. Although Kaymu has been rested, the online platform has become an ecosystem that has different verticals including travel, food, house and cars.

Through the years, it has expanded operations to 14 African countries and does not seem to be soft-pedalling.

The impact of Jumia

When Jumia debut in Nigeria, there was nothing like eCommerce. It was completely a new business endeavour or field that had not been fully exploited. What even made a lot of people sceptical is the possibility of ordering goods online and it will be delivered at your doorstep. Impossible!

But Jumia drove through these hurdles and today the eCommerce platform has millions of customers.

Additionally, Jumia has empowered thousands of Nigerians through its J-force programme and vendors selling on the platform are smiling to the bank.

Since the beginning of 2019, it has been reported that famed online businesses have shut down or left the country. But, Jumia Nigeria’s no 1 shopping destination continues to steadfastly innovate and satisfy the needs of its esteemed customers.

Now  the Alibaba of Africa

Alibaba is the Chinese eCommerce platform founded by Jack Ma. Over the years, Alibaba and the likes of Amazon and eBay have tried to enter into Africa but the groundworks that have been done by Jumia is making that entry very difficult. This is because Jumia keeps consolidating its market position in its key markets as well as innovating.

Hence, it was not a surprise when asked during an interview with the Africa Report  that if Jack Ma or Jeff Bezos knocked on Jumia’s door with an offer they could not refuse, Sacha Poignonnec, the CEO of Jumia said:  “I’d be very proud that they take the time to travel to us and see it. Certainly, we would have to think about it.”

The story Jumia is one of perseverance in a country where it is difficult for startups to survive. The startup is not relaxing as it has said it is here to stay and it is Afrocentric business focus will continue despite the many challenges.

LIFESTYLE: Cannabis Consumption Alters DNA In Sperm

il

A recent study from Duke University Medical Center, United States reveals that exposure to cannabis or Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by men in their child-bearing years alters the genetic profile of their sperm.

The study also revealed that many outside factors can effect sperm, ranging from tobacco smoke to pesticides, flame retardants to obesity, all of which can have epigenetic effects.

Epigenetics are inheritable traits that don’t effect DNA sequencing, but typically stem from life experiences.

The new research shows that THC can effect epigenetics, causing structural and regulatory changes in the DNA of users’ sperm.

The study which looked at 24 men discovered that THC appears to target genes in two major cellular pathways and alters DNA methylation, a process essential to normal development

The senior author of the study, Scott Kollins, a Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences said, “what we have found is that the effects of cannabis use on males and their reproductive health are not completely null.

“In that there’s something about cannabis use that affects the genetic profile in sperm.”

The co-author of the study, Susan Murphy, an Associate Professor said “We know that there are effects of cannabis use on the regulatory mechanisms in sperm DNA, but we don’t know whether they can be transmitted to the next generation.”
Murphy added that “In the absence of a larger, definitive study, the best advice would be to assume these changes are going to be there. We don’t know whether they are going to be permanent.

“I would say, as a precaution, stop using cannabis for at least six months before trying to conceive,” she stressed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Cannabis or Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the THC which contains mind-altering chemicals and other similar compounds.

PENDULUM: How Atiku's Trip To US Is A Super Coup Against APC

BY DELE MOMODU

Fellow Nigerians, this season of jolliness and bonhomie has not been the best of times for the ruling party, APC, and certainly not for its Presidential flagbearer, President Muhammadu Buhari. It may not be unfair to say that this has been one of the worst weeks since the President returned to power on May 29, not May 19, 2015. The President has come under a barrage of social media attacks for series of gaffes on his part in recent time. The first was the interview he granted the Editors of Thisday newspapers and their sister station, the fast rising, Arise News Channel. That amateurish video production was so dire and awful that had it not emanated from the Presidency it would have been condemned immediately as trash. As it is, it seems symptomatic of the malaise currently dogging the President and his team.

The story was told of how the President’s handlers insisted they must handle the recording themselves and hand the tape over to Arise News Channel. That is fine, no problem, but the production turned out to be beneath acceptable standards of journalism and certainly belied the efficiency and perfection one would expect from the Presidential Team. The audio and vision were not the best, not to talk of the meat of the interview itself. The President came across as someone not too sure, or confident, of himself, and what his job entails. The unfortunate display which was avidly circulated by social media aficionados did not compliment the President at all.

As if that was not bad enough, there was yet another interview, in quick, rapid-fire succession, organised on the government-owned NTA. This one was a total PR disaster for President Buhari despite the fact that the cerebral Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo was co-interviewed by one of the best television personalities in Nigeria, and beyond, Kadaira Ahmed, and in his inimitable intellectual, charismatic and charming manner, the Vice-President tried to limit the damage being done by his boss. As much as the interviewer tried to be mild-mannered and pleasant, unlike her usual combative style, the interview just didn’t flow in the right directions. Opportunities were missed and justifications and explanations were stilted. There were just too many negative soundbites which ignited cyberspace and in no time went viral globally.

As they say, when it rains it pours, and this was the case for APC, two days ago, when The Boss, a popular online newspaper, broke the news of Atiku Abubakar’s trip to the United States of America. For over a decade Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had not been able to obtain a US visa talk less of travelling in that direction. It was one of the nagging questions I posed to him when I got an exclusive session with him in Lagos, long before he won the PDP ticket. His answer became a major point of controversy, as he told me, candidly, that he had applied for American visa and was yet to be granted. Naturally, his political enemies went ballistic and taunted me and him endlessly about his inability to enter the US, as if I was his spokesperson and more importantly as if a visit to the US was indeed a precondition for winning the Presidential election. Many swore that he would never surmount that obstacle, matter-of-factly. They stubbornly rejected the notion that if Atiku was afraid of America, he would never have attempted to apply for a visa, in the first instance and, that, if America wanted him so badly, he would have been granted the visa so that he could be snared and entrapped, or in the absence of that, he would have been put under International Police (Interpol) watch, and he would have long since been picked up on one of his frequent trips abroad. Truth is logic no longer knows logic in our climes.

So, it was assumed that Atiku and America were on permanent divorce, due to irreconcilable differences. At a point, even the ruling party warned the United States not to be swayed or tempted to issue him the much sought-after visa, and everyone wondered if it was their business to dictate to America. Now, let’s fast forward. Atiku won the Presidential ticket of PDP and went about his business. His victory was dismissed by the APC as a non-event and its supporters even boasted, openly, that Atiku will never defeat Buhari. They never forgot to end by adding, “a man who cannot attempt to enter America.” But the ways of God are not the ways of man. The men of power began to flex muscles and subjected Atiku to subliminal attacks. A Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for eight years, from 1999 to 2007, some courtesies that used to be extended to him were suddenly withdrawn. His plane was frisked, and he complained about being searched, more than usual, on return from one of his foreign trips, but the gentleman bore it all with equanimity. In no time, thereafter, rumours began to fly about the seeming and perceived intimidation of his supporters. His campaign found it tough to raise needed funds. No one wanted to fall into the hands of Buhari’s goons. But Atiku remained defiant and trudged on, like the old Roman soldier. His campaign was dissed as lacklustre, and not able to match Buhari’s fire-power and razzmatazz.

All seemed tight and tough for Atiku but he maintained a steady focus. His campaign started at a slow but steady pace. Surprisingly, he kept packing the crowds, while the Director General of The Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign and The President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, remained uncharacteristically upbeat. He was dancing so much at rallies that many began to wonder the source of his sauce. He constantly lit up the campaigns. Saraki and former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, stewed so much as they danced Shaku Shaku style and tried to compete with our best choreographers. We didn’t have to wait long for answers to the posers. It landed, without warning, at my desk Thursday afternoon. I was on a flight from Monrovia, Liberia to Lagos, Nigeria, and was in transit in Accra Ghana, when it landed, thunderously. Scoops are the best meals of journalists. It won’t be wrong to call them our opium.

Before we took off, I quickly drafted an urgent press release which I fired to our Editors. Their initial response was that of incredulity, but I told them to shoot immediately. No other media group should beat us to this. You only get such exclusives once in a green moon.

By the time we landed in Lagos, I rushed to put on my phone and ran to open my biggest addiction, Twitter, something I share in common with President Donald Trump. I was happy our story was everywhere but sad our mainstream media seemed unable to confirm the biggest story of the year, or too scared to take a risk because they felt it was an impossibility.

As soon as we disembarked, and I climbed into my waiting car, I zoomed to work on my phone, frantically. I called some impeccable contacts who gave me the blow by blow account of how Atiku left Nigeria, unannounced, and obtrusively, on his most important journey ever, the game-changer any politician would wish for, exactly one month to the biggest election of all time. I called the Editors and fired some more authoritative gist. We did an update on how Atiku left Lagos, in company of Saraki and Senator Ben Murray Bruce and others. Then my phones began to buzz. I was told Daily Trust has debunked our story based on an interview granted them by Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe. I simply ignored the talk of the story being fake. I expected Paul to avoid being so categorical but… We moved on knowing news bomb would soon explode and expose whoever was right or wrong.

Shortly after, I saw the story on Cable News, owned by my dear Brother, Simon Kolawole, and I said now we are inching closer to an eventful evening. Then, at The Boss, we did our last update before everywhere finally exploded. This time, it was how Atiku’s plane filed a flight plan to London, from where it changed and headed to Washington. All this while doubters, and APC supporters, were on my case, flashing the Daily Trust story at me, but I remained unperturbed.  I saw a Punch story that the Nigerian Embassy said it was aware of Atiku’s presence in the US. I smiled to myself, knowing very soon, they will know by which technology he navigated his way to America. Soon, and very soon, we shall see the Wazirin in America. I already queued up for the first pictures. And it came.


That was how in one second, Atiku, or the Atikulated campaign, took off with uncommon favour and fervour. My dear friends in APC went quiet, a few threw the usual tantrums. I had expected them to pretend a little, but they couldn’t hide their shock and, possibly, disappointment in America. By yesterday, my big Brother, Alhaji Lai Mohammed came out of the grove to declare, majestically, that if Atiku likes, he can pick up a green card in America and stay there for as long as he wants. Wow, he was not done. He became an instant Prosecutor, or Minister of Justice, EFCC boss or Supreme Court Justice, when he pronounced Atiku guilty of bank fraud and malfeasance, and that he should be ready to answer questions about the collapse of Bank PHB, upon his return. This coming after about one day gone in the United States, and one month to the start of the general elections. Lord have mercy.

Why is APC fighting on all fronts? Who is misleading my friends and, once upon a time, fellow Buharists. Are they not tired of this commotion, tension and confusion. Not too long ago, the Senate President and the legislature; more recently, the CJN and the Judiciary; now the leader of opposition, Atiku Abubakar. My prediction is very simple and straight-forward. 


It seems to me that APC needs a miracle to win the next election, if it continues to follow this destructive path. APC has inflicted these difficult times on itself. I am not sure that some of the distinguished party faithful are not working directly against the interests of the party and its presidential candidate.  There are apparently Fifth Columnists abroad! Otherwise, the only other thing that can be said is that the party appears to be hell bent on following the PDP template for rejection and failure that the same APC constantly and serially condemned just before the last elections.

All the party’s antics now smack of great desperation and panic attack as they seek to land the plum job of President of Nigeria. The senior members should have summoned the courage to advise the President to serve only one term, especially after his health failed so spectacularly two years ago. His amiable, cerebral and inspired Vice-President would have taken over and unified the country. But hell no, they didn’t see the need. How on earth, and at this time and age, did APC expect Buhari to run a serious campaign and manage a big and complex country like Nigeria, given all that seems to be wrong? At least the President was honest enough to acknowledge this when he ceded leadership of the campaign to the irrepressible Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The only problem is that this gambit itself appears to have backfired as the President has made more appearances on the campaign trail and hustings than the appointed leader of the campaign.


I’m wondering if APC remembers the promises made to Nigerians to make the economy better, corruption exterminated, the Naira stronger and security tighter. In good conscience, have they delivered? This, will be answered hopefully next month, when the people troop out to vote. 

Congratulations to Atiku on what is turning out to be a good trip for him both at home and abroad. The APC is jittery and this alone may be worth the medal for Atiku. Meanwhile, we await your arrival and looking forward to your trial …

God help Nigeria.

Lagos, IFC Sign MOU To Enhance Infrastructure And Revenue Generation

The Lagos State Government and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have sealed a major partnership to enhance provision of infrastructure in key sectors and strengthen the State’s long-term financial sustainability through improved revenue generation strategies.

The State’s Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, in a statement on Wednesday, said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the partnership dated January 7, 2019 had already been signed, and expressed optimism that the development would go a long way in helping to scale up municipal infrastructure, increase revenues and generally make life more comfortable to residents of the State.

   

In furtherance of the agreement, Ashade said IFC, which is a member of the World Bank Group, would seek to provide advisory services to enhance infrastructure development in key areas including power, education, health, environment and transport, with special focus on provision of electric buses, among others.

Giving details, the Commissioner said: “IFC’s advisory services will be designed to improve procurement for key transport projects and support project development in areas including power, transport, municipal waste, health, education and energy efficiency.

“IFC will also be able to advise on strategies and policies for electric buses and ride-hailing services and assist Lagos State on its revenue mobilization strategies.

“We welcome IFC’s support and are confident that signing this memorandum will translate into viable infrastructure projects, expertise building and better access to financing for the benefit of all Lagosians.”

Also speaking, IFC’s Country Manager for Nigeria, Eme Essien expressed excitement with the partnership, saying it was in line with the organization’s program tagged ‘IFC’s Cities Initiative’ aimed at mobilizing commercial financing for priority urban projects, connect cities with capital markets, and to help improve municipalities’ credit-worthiness through financial management training.

Revealing that a total of $13.5 Billion had been invested over the last 15 years across more than 70 countries through the initiative, Essien said the program essentially supports efforts to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities that open new markets, and create opportunities for all.

“Today’s announcement is only a first step in the building of a long term strategic partnership with the largest municipality in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our objective is to support Lagos State’s efforts through IFC’s Cities Initiative to improve living conditions, expand and renew its infrastructure, and help reinforce Lagos’s position as an attractive investment destination — and by extension Nigeria’s position,” Essien said.

With a population of 24 million, Lagos State is Nigeria’s economic epicenter and main hub for commercial and industrial activities, accounting for more than 30 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Faced with a fast-growing population, the State has been working to improve its economic and social infrastructure to enhance economic development, while it aims to become Africa’s third largest economy, measured by GDP, by 2023.