For the second year running, the Ford Motor Company of Sub-Saharan Africa, through one of its local automotive dealers in Nigeria, BriscoeFord, has announced its sponsorship of season two of Nigeria’s entrepreneur reality TV show, The Next Titan.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos to mark the opening of registration for season two of the show, General Manager of BriscoeFord, Olorunfemi Eguaikhide said the company’s continued support for the show was borne out of its commitment to growing the business community and encouraging budding Nigerian entrepreneurs.

Eguaikhide said "BriscoeFord is the official automotive sponsor of The Next Titan for the second year running. This is because we are committed to growing and supporting initiatives geared towards the development of the Nigerian business community. We encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship in young Nigerians through practical business exposure and mentorship.”

The Next Titan is Nigeria’s leading entrepreneurial reality TV show in which contestants showcase their business ideas. Auditions will take place in three cities in Nigeria - Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja. Once selected, the top 16 brightest business minds will compete against each other in weekly business tasks over a 10 week period.

Every week, the contestants work in two teams, each under the guidance of a project manager chosen through a balloting process, competing in business-driven tasks around Lagos. Each contestant, while working as part of their team, is also expected to display his or her creativity and personal business ideas in the Academy.

Last year beautician Iroghama Ogbeifun won the inaugural season of the Next Titan and went home with a cash prize of 5 million naira, a brand new Ford Focus from BriscoeFord and business mentorship from the show.

This year’s winner will also receive a cash prize of 5 million naira, a brand new Ford Focus from BriscoeFord and business mentorship from the show.

 
 It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres above sea level. The challenge is to climb it in less than 6 hours, 56 minutes and 24 seconds which is the current world record held by Swiss-Ecuadorian Karl Egloff who completed a run up the Umbwe Route and descent via Mweka in August 2014. Now Julio Ludago, a professional mountain guide at Mt. Kilimanjaro hopes to beat this record on Sunday, September 27, 2015 when he ascends and descends Mt. Kilimanjaro via Umbwe route – Western breach.

According to Julio, “I know breaking the world record is not going to be an easy task. The high altitude, low temperature and occasional strong winds on Mt. Kilimanjaro make this a difficult and dangerous challenge but I am prepared. For the last two months, I have been training relentlessly and with the support I am receiving from Intel, Ahsante Tours and ASUS, I am confident I will break the record.”

Intel, Ahsante Tours and ASUS have come on board as Julio’s sponsors to help turn this challenge into an exciting experience that will rally various African nations to cheer Julio on as he attempts to break the world record. Supporters can join the conversation by following the social media campaign dubbed #TheClimbAfrica.

Ahsante Tours, Julio’s employer, has been providing the logistical support during his training sessions and will also manage the logistics during the actual day of the climb.

Speaking through its Marketing Manager, Noel Kilengo, “We are proud and excited to be supporting Julio in this challenge and we are working very closely with Kilimanjaro National Park Authority to ensure this runs smoothly. We are looking forward to him breaking the world record and making Africa proud.”

Corroborating Kilengo, Head of Marketing and PR for Intel East Africa, Lavinniah Muthoni said “Intel, through the use of technology will enable Julio to track his fitness levels and also share his extraordinary experience with Africa and beyond. As he prepares to break the world record, we want people to celebrate his experience and be part of his journey.” 

Julio was given climbing gear and the Basis Peak that helps him track his activity, health and sleeping metrics 24/7. It also continuously monitors movement, perspiration and skin temperature. This multi-sensor approach, combined with Basis’ BodyIQ technology, enables Basis Peak to automatically detect walking, running, biking, sleep phases, sleep quality and more. Even with these sensors working 24/7, Peak maintains a battery life of up to four days, a challenge for many other wearable devices on the market today.

Another exciting technology that Julio will use during this mission will be the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi powered by Intel. The razor-thin and powerful 2-in-1 device with a 12.5” screen perfectly meets Julio’s needs because it is lightweight (720g tablet), compact and thin (7.6mm), and it is able to handle the rigors of ascending a mountain as well as continue to operate under low temperature and atmospheric pressure.

The ultra-slim 2-in-1 delivers incredible performance and is also power-efficient thanks to the latest Intel Core M processor. With a battery that can last up to 8 hours, it enables Julio to document images and videos throughout his climbing.

According to the Director, System Business Group, English Speaking Africa, ASUS, Mr. Alvin Huang, “We are excited to be part of Julio’s journey. ASUS laptop was the first laptop to reach the top of Mount Everest at the height of 8848m in the past, so we are confident the ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi can successfully survive the severe conditions during this mission and help Julio to connect with his fans.

Huang concluded, ‘’As part of the social media campaign to create awareness on Julio’s challenge, we are awarding fans that accurately predict the time it will take him to ascend and descend Mt. Kilimanjaro with our 2-in-1 laptops. We urge everyone to join in and cheer Julio on.” 

Follow this ambitious story online over the next three weeks using #TheClimbAfrica hashtag and send your well wishes to@JulioLudago on Twitter. In East Africa, follow @IntelEastAfrica on Twitter and Intel Kenya on Facebook, in Nigeria, follow @IntelWestAfrica on Twitter and Intel Nigeria on Facebook, and in South Africa, follow @Intel_Africa on Twitter and Intel South Africa on Facebook to participate in the prediction campaign.

                                  
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olu Falae, has been kidnapped, Channels TV is reporting.
Mr. Falae, 76, the report said, was abducted from his farm in Ondo state.
Details of the incident are still sketchy.
Mr. Falae, 76, was also Nigeria’s former minister of finance.
Since his retirement from service, the former minister had lived in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
Details later…

                 



The Chelsea Football player welcomes twin, shared the photo on his instagram page and wrote "My whole world in my arms. Welcome to the world, my angels."

Justice Danladi Umar of the Code of Conduct Tribunal has ordered that a bench warrant should be issued on the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for failing to appear to answer charges bordering on assets declaration.
Senate President Bukola Saraki’s trial for alleged false declaration of his assets when he was governor of Kwara State has begun at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr. Muslim Hassan, asked the tribunal to issue a bench warrant against Saraki for failing to appear before it.
Hassan faulted the Federal High Court for granting the ex parte motion halting Saraki’s arraignment.

He argued that the Federal High Court had coordinate jurisdiction with the tribunal and as such, had no powers to halt trial of the
Tribunal.
The Defence Counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu, however, prayed the tribunal to adjourn the case until after the Federal High Court sitting on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Chairman tribunal, Mr. Umar Danladi, adjourned the case till 1.30pm for a decision to be taken.

 •Photo shows, L-R; Vincent Emokpaire, Stills Business Manager, Coca-Cola; Emmanuel N. Nnorom CEO, Transcorp Plc; a female distributor; and Prahlad Gangadharan Director of Stills, NBC during yesterday’s launch of Five Alive Pulpy Orange, a new juice line made with concentrate from Transcorp agribusiness subsidiary Teragro Commodities Ltd.

The Coca-Cola Company yesterday launched a new line of fruit juice made from concentrate: Five Alive Pulpy Orange, and announced Teragro, agribusiness subsidiary of Nigerian conglomerate Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) as the sole local-concentrate sourcing partner for the product.

Transcorp agribusiness subsidiary Teragro Commodities Limited produces orange, mango and pineapple concentrates for industrial markets. Teragro first began producing concentrate for Coca-Cola in 2014.

“In July, we invested in a world-class extraction cup, which revolutionised the production process and ensured that our concentrates meet the most stringent international standards,” said Teragro CEO Dupe Olusola. “Our budding relationship with Coca-Cola is essentially the international seal of approval on our products.”

Given the scale of The Coca-Cola Company’s sales network and the impact on critical resources like water, it has emphasised the importance of partnering locally to ensure sustainability of supply chain.

“We are establishing long-term relationships with suppliers all over the world, and our partnership with Teragro is helping us to change the way agribusiness is done in Nigeria,” said Nigerian Bottling Company Director of Stills Prahlad Gangadharan. “We are proud to have a supplier like Teragro, that delivers the highest quality product, making sustainability without sacrificing quality, a real possibility.”

Teragro recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Benue State Government to lease land to establish citrus farms with improved varieties of citrus fruits and to diversify crops. The company employs and invests in capacity building for small-scale farmers as part of its commitment for improved return to investors, while providing support to the community.

“We have made investments in Teragro’s processes to ensure quality and that has elevated us to the pinnacle of local producers and ensures that we are able to compete with any international producer,” said Transcorp Group CEO Emmanuel N. Nnorom. “The fact that Coca-Cola is using our product is a testimony of its high-quality and of Coca-Cola’s commitment to meeting its goals with the best suppliers in Nigeria.”

       











 Trade Account Manager Nigeria, British Airways, Juliet Ihaibe; Winners of British Airways Front Line Staff Incentive Promo, Folashade Malik, Ticketing Supervisor at American Express Travel (AMEX); Donald Ullah, Supervisor at Rewards Travels & Tours LTD; Olubunmi Kasali, Reservation Officer at Beekay Travels and Trade Account Manager Nigeria, British Airways, Bodunrin Olowolagba, at the presentation of prizes to winners of the recently concluded British Airways Front Line Staff Incentive Promo, held at British Airways office, Ikoyi, Lagos today, Tuesday, 8th September, 2015.

Sprite, a leading lemon-lime flavoured sparkling soft drink produced by Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, has restated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s Rap industry through support of platforms that promote   true self-expression. The popular beverage brand expressed this at the Sprite-sponsored Silverbird Rhythm Freestyle Fury challenge, which held recently in the Rhythm FM Studios at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos ..


Speaking at the event, Senior Brand Manager, Flavours, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Toyin Nnodi, remarked that Nigeria’s rap industry is a thriving industry that allows for self-expression among Nigerian youths, especially Teens. Nnodi said “Rap has become an incredibly powerful tool for expression of ideas and emotions among Nigerian Teens who naturally are edgy and seek to explore new boundaries. Sprite is excited to support events like these which encourage Teens to express themselves."

She emphasized that Sprite stimulates out-of-the-box thinking and recognizes the creativity and ingenuity embedded in the average Nigerian youth.  “Sprite stands for the attitude, edginess and swag of the urbane youth, and therefore encourages them to obey their passions", Nnodi noted.

The well attended event saw Vector Tha Viper set a new record for the longest freestyle Rap on live radio in Africa. Rapping non-stop for two hours, he used words and phrases from live tweets and SMS messages sent to him by the Stations’ listeners during the event.
Speaking shortly after the record breaking event, Vector thanked the organizers and sponsors for what he termed the unwavering support for Nigeria Rap industry. He said, “Shout out to everyone who made this event an epic. The tweets were hilarious and ridiculous at some points though. Biggest thanks goes to Rhythm and Sprite who made this happen. Their unwavering support for Nigeria’s Rap industry is greatly appreciated.”


In the studio with him was a panel of celebrities – DJ Jimmy Jatt, JAJ da Meccadon, and Elajoe. Top DJ’s, DJ Humility and DJ Sose played the beats for the event, which also featured four upcoming rappers, namely, Jesse, Sleeksound, Tesan and Blaqbonz, who competed in a Rap battle. The ultimate prize for the contestants was winning the title of Rhythm 93.7 FM’s Artist of the month and the recording of a sound track with Vector Tha Viper, produced by ace producer Licious Crackett.

Besides enjoying a good show, members of the audience won a range of prizes, courtesy of Sprite – LED TVs, Vacuum cleaners, Microwave ovens, DVD players and Blenders.

 

the visuals for the smash hit single by Oritsefemi – Igbeyawo.

The AVATAR/MSN GANG Superstar, ORITSEFEMI drops the visuals of IGBEYAWO. You can’t stop watching this video, IGBEYAWO was produced by Fliptyce, & Directed on a location in Lagos by Unlimited L.A.

Fanta, Nigeria’s favourite fruit flavoured soft drink revved up play and fun at the just concluded 63rd Annual Convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Thrilling over 6,000 Tweens and Teens who attended the summer camp program, which ran between Monday, August 3 and Sunday, August 9, 2015, Fanta engaged the convention attendees with several fun and exciting games and gave them the opportunity of enjoying the drink.

Speaking at the summer camp program, Assistant Brand Manager, Flavours, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Jumoke Oyewole said, “Fanta’s outing at the RCCG annual convention is part of our ongoing mission to create more play and fun moments in the world. We are leveraging this opportunity to show Nigerian Tweens and Teens just how much we care about and appreciate them, and to reiterate to them that we are committed to helping them express their youthful passions.”

Oyewole also added that Fanta believes in providing a platform for its consumers to express themselves through the Play elements that matter to them – social play and physical play. She noted, “Interestingly, the Tweens and Teens are having lots of fun at this event and are expressing themselves and connecting to their friends through many fun and playful activities.”

Commending Fanta for its various initiatives at the camp, Mrs. Franca Akinsanya, one of the parents of the children present at the event, remarked that Fanta did a good job by bringing excitement to the summer camp as her children were thrilled and excited throughout the week.

Mrs. Akinsanya remarked that, “Every day, my children look forward to a enjoying the delicious taste of Fanta. I am not surprised at this fact, because despite being an adult, I am also having a great time being with my excited children at this convention.”

                               
One of the stand out songs off  M.I Abaga;s “The Chairman” album – “Bullion Van” gets the visual treatment it deserves.
Bullion Van is a club tailored tune hence the club scenes, the Mex directed video also boasts of actual bullion vans, fast cars and high profile cameo appearances.

The White Lion, D’banj continues his 10th Anniversary celebrations with the video for “Confidential“, a song which intially leaked back in 2014.

“Confidential” features British Sierra Leonian Megastar Idris Elba (as DRIIS) and Shadow Boxer. The surprise of the day has to go to DRIIS for doing what most people had no idea he could. He delivered like he’s been doing this for years!

Be on the look-out for D’banj’s new album dropping soon.
Directed by Thomas Ikimi.

President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the resignation of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi.

With the acceptance, Abdullahi is expected to proceed on his voluntary retirement from Tuesday, August 18.

He had earlier written a letter dated August 3 to the President in which he notified Buhari of his desire to proceed on voluntary retirement from Tuesday.

Buhari’s approval of Abdullahi’s request was dated August 14 and personally signed by the President.

He thanked the NCS boss for his services to the county in the last six years.
The President’s letter was titled “Voluntary retirement from the Nigeria Customs Service.”

The approval read, “Dear, Alhaji D.I. Abdullahi. I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter Ref. No. NCS/ADM/HQ/P. 35802 of 3rd August, 2015 conveying your decision to voluntarily retire from the Nigeria Customs Service with effect from Tuesday, 18th August, 2015.
“I note with appreciation your services to this nation, especially as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service in the last six (6) years.

“Accordingly, I hereby approve your voluntary retirement from the Nigeria Customs Service with effect from 18th August 2015.
“I wish you the very best in your future endeavours.
“Yours sincerely, Muhammadu Buhari.”
Abdullahi had, in his letter to the President, thanked him for the confidence and trust reposed on him since he (Buhari) was inaugurated on May 29.

He said by August 18, he would be six years in office as the Comptroller-General of the NCS.

He recalled that on assumption of office, he articulated six-point agenda which he vigorously pursued.

He said the agenda had positively impacted on the efficiency and performance of officers of the service and had drastically changed the negative perception of the service.

He listed the six-point agenda to include capacity building, introduction of e-Customs, enhancing productivity through improved welfare package, moral rebirth for discipline and integrity in service, collaboration and partnering with stakeholders and international organisations, as well as  fostering understanding of the Service in the eye of the general public  using an intensified and a well-coordinated public relations platform.

The NCS boss said under his watch, the revenue collection into various coffers of government increased drastically.

He said the Service’s average monthly collection in 2009 when he took over was about N29billion, adding that the average monthly collection is currently between N90billion and N100billion.

He hinged his decision to embark on voluntary resignation on the need to allow young bloods to takeover the mantle of leadership of the Service in order to sustain and improve on his legacy.

Abdullahi concluded, “While thanking Your Excellency and indeed Nigerians for the opportunity to serve and contribute my quota to the development of our fatherland, I wish to seek approval of Your Excellency to be allowed to retire voluntarily on 18th August 2015.

“This decision is taken with a view to allowing young bloods takeover the mantle of leadership of the Service in order to sustain and improve on my legacy.”

The President has yet to name Abdullahi’s successor at the time of filing this report.
Sourec: The Punch

Gunmen, suspected to be cultists, on Saturday morning killed a Catholic priest and lecturer in the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Rev. Fr. Desmond Osuagwu in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The priest, who is a member of the congregation of the Claretian Missionaries, Eastern Province, Nigeria, was said to be heading for the St. Mark’s Catholic Chaplaincy, Obinze Barracks, where he served as a Chaplain to conduct the day’s Eucharistic mass for the men of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
It was gathered that the assailants waylaid him on the road at a pathway before Avu junction, along the Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, dragged him out of his SUV before he was killed by stabbing him in his neck and his stomach.
A reliable source told our correspondent that the suspected cultists dragged him into a nearby bush, tied him on a tree and killed him.
According to the source, the assailants did not take any money from the priest’s car.
Osuagwu, who hails from Obowo Local Government Area of the state, was until his untimely death, the Director of Students Industrial Works Experience Scheme at the Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo.
The cleric, who celebrated his 25 years anniversary as a priest last year, was reported to be among the top contenders for the position of Superior-General of the Claretian priests, slated to hold sometime in 2016.
The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Andrew Enwerem, confirmed the incident.
He said, “We heard the information that morning and immediately moved our men to the scene of the incident. The state police command is intensifying all efforts to see that the perpetrators of the dastard action are brought to book. We must surely get them.”
Source: The Punch

 

 L-R: Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria; John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria; Afolabi Kasomo, Assistant Brand Manager, Guinness and Felix Awogu, General Manager, SuperSport, West Africa during the Live Screening of the European Premier League new season held at Landmark event center, Oniru, Lagos on Saturday 8th of August, 2015

                                  
“After the successful release of Simi’s Pop trendy video ‘Jamb Question’, which teases fans with a short verse from Falz, the R&B sweetheart has dropped the full version.
‘Jamb Question’ remix is quite similar to its original version – witty, comical and romantic. With a funky verse from rapper Falz, it only gets more fun, listening.
The X3M Music artiste will be releasing more material this 2015. Stay tuned!”
DOWNLOAD:

                               
In a rare interview, and a TV exclusive, CNN’s Amanda Davies spoke to billionaire Arsenal shareholder, Alisher Usmanov.

The Russian spoke of his desire to keep Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, how building the Emirates Stadium may have lost Wenger his best years.  He also touched on his relationship with fellow Arsenal shareholder Stan Kroenke.
Usmanov, one of Russia’s richest men, also talked about the possibility of becoming the controlling shareholder at the club.
Credit: CNN World Sport
 LINK

The experience of two-weeks filled with entertainment, education and group tasks will forever linger in the hearts of children between the age of 8 to 16 years that were present at the Etisalat Sponsored Camp Hype Summer school programme that held at La Campagne Tropicana, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.

The indigenous residential summer camp which commenced on Sunday, July 26 ‎and came to a ceremonial close on Tuesday, August 4 2015, is the first in Nigeria which offered children exciting experiences away from home and provided them with an opportunity to unleash their gifts and talents in an atmosphere of learning and fun.

At the opening of this year’s Summer Camp, children at the workshop were introduced to skills to learn. This ranged from; Photography, Make-over training, Shoemaking and Web designing. The excited and eager to learn participants were also treated to games, treasure hunts, artistes’ performances and many more.

Speaking at the camp, the Manager, Teen Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Ife Oyeyipoexpressed Etisalat’s delight in supporting Camp HYPE, which she described as another way of bringing the Etisalat Cliqlite philosophy of education and fun to the wholesome development for Nigerian children.

Manager, Teen Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Ife Oyeyipo; Programme Coordinator, Camp Hype 2015, Bukola Smith; and Specialist, Teen Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Oyindamola Ademosu

At the event, three children emerged winners of the treasure hunt game where they went in search of Etisalat Cliqlite tabs hidden in the camp. Kelvin Odiaexpressed joy at being part of the event, “I heard about Camp HYPE on radio and how I had to win to get in; and I was determined to win“.

The campers received certificates of participation, First Aid Training Certificates and some other camp memorabilia at the end of the camp.

See more photos:

Tanzanian singer, Diamond Platnumz and his girlfriend, Zari Hassan have welcomed their daughter together. Zari already has three children with an ex. Congrats to Diamond and Zari!

Check out this hilarious hashtag trending right now on twitter.. More when you continue...