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Connect Nigeria, Union Bank Celebrate Top 100 Emerging SMEs
Connect Nigeria in collaboration with Union Bank PLC over the weekend held an Award Ceremony aimed towards celebrating top 100 emerging SMEs in the country.
The event which was held at the Union Bank Head Office in Marina, Lagos, had in attendance nominees, award recipients, representatives from the award partners, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Sawubona, members of the press and a host of others.
Mrs Ogochukwu Ekeide, Head, Corporate Communications and Marketing, Union Bank, in a welcome address said that the award was put together to challenge, encourage and recognize Nigerian SME Businesses.
She noted that the campaign was officially kicked off in February 2018 with a call for nominations of emerging SMES who have distinguished themselves in providing excellent products and services for due recognition, honor and celebration.
She added that Union Bank recognized the 100 emerging businesses as part of the bank’s yearlong celebration of 100 years of operation from a record total of 13,470 nominations in 25 broad categories.
Ekeide commended the recipients for their hard work and dedication expressing Union Bank’s willingness to partner with, support and reward SMEs.
She also encouraged them to keep up the good work and expressed the desire to see them become fortune 500 companies in the future.
Emeka Okafor. MD, Connect Nigeria, in his welcome address extolled all those who participated in the top 100 emerging SMEs event, noting that they were are all winners.
Okafor, who was represented by Uzo Anekwe, Head, Business Development, Connect Nigeria, observed that businesses in Nigeria were beginning to understand the dynamics of doing business in a global economy and putting systems and structures in place, to be able to compete globally.
He added that Connect Nigeria as a brand is committed to investing in the SMEs because they are the future of Nigeria and to this end; he unveiled a series of ongoing benefits that would accrued to the winners.
According to him, “All 100 winners will be published in featured articles via the Connect Nigeria online platform, to boost their visibility, and online presence.
“100 free tables will be given to all the winners of this year’s event, to showcase and exhibit their products and services at Africa’s largest SME event in April 2019.
“All winners will enjoy free 1-year membership on the Club connect Platform with all the benefits that come with it.”
He concluded by congratulating the award recipients for their sterling efforts and assured them of Connect Nigeria’s support as they continue to raise the bar while doing business the right way in Nigeria.
Mr. Paul Aseme, Head, Retail Segment, Union Bank, also gave a short seminar on Union Bank’s special business Advisory services for SMEs. He assured the audience of the Bank’s commitment to their growth and prosperity.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of Award certificates to the winners of the Top 100 Emerging SMEs in attendance by representatives of Union Bank, Connect Nigeria, LCCI, and Sawubona.
The recipients expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of the event and described their joy at being honored for their modest contribution to the growth of the economy.
They entertained hopes of surpassing their previous achievements in the coming year with the aid of such initiatives as this put together by Connect Nigeria and Union Bank.
The event ended amidst cheers, music and networking, with closing remarks by Mr. Oriyomi Bernard, Head, SME Banking, Union Bank.
The next edition of the Connect Nigeria Top 100 Emerging SMEs is expected to take place sometime in 2019.
News
Adeleke Describes Adenuga’s Contribution to African Economy as Unquantifiable
Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Governor, has described the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr., as an icon who has made enormous contributions to the development of Nigeria and Africa.
Speaking when he received the Public Sector team from Globacom in his office at Osogbo recently, the governor also commended the positive impact the company has made in the telecoms industry in terms of innovation and pricing.
He described Dr Adenuga as a great believer in Nigeria “whose impact on the Nigerian and the African economy cannot be quantified”.
Adeleke assured the Globacom team led by Niyi Odejobi of his government’s readiness to explore areas of business partnership with the company. “Be rest assured that this partnership is already a reality. We just need to work out the details”, Senator Adeleke noted.
He urged telecommunications companies to strengthen ties with the state government, adding that “the subnational entities are where your market is. Even though the regulatory body is national, your market base remains the states and the local governments. You must deliberately prioritize partnership with the state government.
“The telecom community must understand that giving full support to the states in terms of payment of right taxes and corporate social responsibility is an investment in your market. The more robust the state governments are, the more buoyant your market will be,” the governor said.
In his own remarks, Odejobi pledged Globacom’s support for the growth and development of Osun State, adding that it would deploy various internet and digital infrastructure to promote governance and businesses in the state.
News
Foodstuff Store introduces Innovative Recycling Program
Foodstuff Store, an AgriTech company on Wednesday announced the introduction of its innovative recycling program. The expansion of the corporate mission to include waste management and recycling solutions underlines the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Foodstuff Store is providing a way by which their customers who are provided with wholesome and fresh food products directly from farmers can now dispose of their plastic wastes as an added service, thereby reducing their ecological footprint.
For every waste item delivered for recycling by customers, they’ll receive a credit that can be used for a next purchase at the Foodstuff Store.
Not only will this ensure a contribution to a cleaner environment, but it will also provide a way to incentivise their efforts towards adopting sustainability practices.
“We are thrilled to offer our customers a convenient way to recycle and contribute to a cleaner Nigeria and a cleaner planet,” says Diana Tenabe, Chief Operating Officer at Foodstuff Store. “By offering rewards for recycling, we hope to incentivize eco-conscious behavior within our communities in Nigeria.”
Nigeria faces a significant challenge with plastic pollution. The prevalence of single-use plastics, which is caused by widespread use of sachet water pouches, plastic shopping bags, and take-away containers, leads to massive waste generation. There are also recycling capacity challenges in Nigeria, where only a small percentage of plastic waste gets recycled.
Additionally, indiscriminate disposal of plastics and other waste materials contributes to overflowing landfills with plastics, clogged drainages that lead to flooding, and harming marine life.
Foodstuff Store believes that by working together with its customers, it can create a positive impact on the environment. This new program allows customers to enjoy the quality products and services they expect from Foodstuff Store, while also contributing to a more sustainable future.
News
Edenlife Opens the first Homemade Outlet Store in Oniru, to open 49 more Across the Country
Homemade by Eden, the food retail business of Nigerian home concierge startup, Edenlife has marked a significant step towards National expansion with the launch of its first Outlet store in Oniru, Lagos State. This move signals the company’s commitment to bringing its signature homemade meals directly to consumers across the country.
Commenting on the launch of the Oniru Outlet, Nadayar Enegesi, CEO of Edenliife stated, ‘’At Eden Life, it’s in our DNA to adapt and meet the evolving needs of our consumers.
The new outlet store by Homemade exemplifies this commitment. These outlet stores will deliver delicious, home-cooked meals to its customers and create job opportunities in logistics and tech support, driving local economic growth.
By sourcing fresh ingredients from smaller Nigerian farms, we strengthen the agricultural sector and ensure a reliable supply chain. And there’s more to come we have plans to launch mobile kitchens in other strategic locations across the nation.
It’s a win-win situation – our customers enjoy a taste of home, we create jobs, empower local businesses, and contribute to a stronger Nigerian economy.’’
The establishment of these outlet stores translates to new job opportunities in logistics and potentially tech support for the mobile units. Additionally, the focus on fresh, local ingredients could encourage partnerships with smaller Nigerian farms, strengthening the agricultural sector and supporting local food production.
This localized approach to food delivery keeps money circulating within communities and fosters a more sustainable economic ecosystem.
Speaking at the launch event on Friday, May 10, 2024, Orafiri Adoki, Business Lead of Homemade stated that some of Nigeria’s food culture has not been fully explored.
She stated, “Nigeria has such a rich culture around food, which has not been explored to its maximum. So, with the launch of the Homemade outlet, we hope to introduce some of the meals Nigerians are used to at home while providing creative and innovative ways to enjoy these meals,” .
As Nigeria’s e-commerce sector continues to evolve, Eden Life’s innovative approach positions the company as a frontrunner in driving industry growth and reshaping consumer expectations. By providing a seamless omnichannel shopping experience, Edenliife not only captures market share but also cultivates meaningful connections with Nigerian consumers.
Nigeria’s e-commerce industry has been experiencing a boom in recent years, driven by factors like increasing internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and a growing young population. The e-commerce market in Nigeria is estimated to be around USD 8.53 billion in 2024.
It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.82% during the forecast period (2024-2029), reaching approximately USD 14.92 billion by 2029. E-commerce is expected to continue its strong growth trajectory in Nigeria, presenting immense potential for e-commerce platforms like Edenlife to capitalize on the rising demand for convenient and affordable food options.
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