General News
AnabelMobile is Simply a Smartphone-Okoye
Nicholas Okoye, managing director/chief executive officer, AnabelMobile is a consummate professional. He has experience in the finance and international capital markets and has worked with Merryl Lynch, United States of America. Okoye was also head of Strategy at the Nigerian Stock Exchange and group executive director at Transcorp and acting chief executive at Nitel for a brief period
Why AnabelMobile
There were two major issues that informed this bold step – if you look at the telecoms industry in Nigeria and of course, Africa, you will find out that there are no local players in the devices and handsets space. It is dominated by international brands and I thought there was a need for a Nigerian appeal in that particular niche of the market space. Particular of interest was once I tried to set the date and time of one of my international brand phones but could not find Nigeria on their menu but every country in the world was there. That was very annoying to me that Nigeria was not recognized by any of these brands meanwhile, they dominate in our market place and make a lot of money from Nigeria. So, I felt that the only reason that is happening is because we are not doing it ourselves and rather than going out to preach to our people on the need to design our own phones and manufacture something that is designed for us with our own embedded technologies, music, aspects that refer to us; I decided we could do it ourselves and put everything together, went out and did it! In addition to that, we decided that within the phone space, it has to be Smartphones. Smartphones are otherwise known as pocket PCs. These are phones that are able to act like computers, so they run on computer operating systems – ours run on Windows Mobile. They have central processing units (CPUs) and chips just like any other computer, and you can actually do your work on the move as if it were your office. Our phones have power point – you can programme your presentations and deliver them from the phone. They also have Excel, Word, Notes, as well as e-mail – all the office software products that you need on the PC or a laptop; you have them on your Anabel Smartphone. So, this tells us that is the future of the telecoms industry – Smartphones – and that was what we felt Africans needed to embrace because you find out that there is a lot of talk about bridging the digital divide in Africa, getting African people to understand and use information technology, but it is much more difficult to train somebody in the village who is barely literate, on how to use a computer. It is quite easy to train them on how to use a computerized phone because most of them are already using phones; they understand phones; they make both local and international calls; grandmas make and receive calls in every village right now. If I were to give grandma a Smartphone, it would be easier for me to train her on how to use it as opposed to training her to use a computer. So, I believe that the future is Smartphones and that is why we went into this business.
Windows Operating System as for AnabelMobile
Windows was chosen after a healthy debate and deep scrutiny of all the operating systems that are available to tier-one manufacturers and new manufacturers like us. We chose Windows because it is the best. That is one reason. Another is that it is the most compatible with PCs. So if you actually want your phone and your PC to be synchronized, Windows Mobile gives the best opportunity to do that because 95 percent of PCs in the world run on Windows operating system. If you want to give people an opportunity to synchronize seamlessly with their handheld devices such as Smartphones, Windows would be an ideal product to do that. Having said that, it is the best operating system; it has very interesting and unique applications which customers enjoy – the Outlook connects your e-mails seamlessly with your office, as well as connects your regular e-mails like Yahoomail and Gmail. It also allows you to do active Live Messenger from your phone. It is a very unique operating system which I think we made a good choice on, and it has Microsoft’s support. For us as new manufacturers, to use untested software system might be more of a challenge. So, that informed our choice of Windows operating system.
Cost of the Devices
There is a price range for the four models of AnabelMobile phones. We have an entry model and the more sophisticated model. The entry model would come out at a price point of about N39, 000; and a price point of about N59,000 for the more sophisticated model. Note that these are not written in stone, they might be adjusted in due course. But, we would try as much as possible to push these phones in an affordable way; we are coming at a very competitive price point. For low income earners, there is the Microfinance Bank. You spread the cost of that phone over 12 months and it comes out to less than N3,500 per month. Now most of the folks in the village who are doing business would need a computerized phone to enhance their operations because the phone is not just about making calls. It can do much more. So if somebody in the village needs to have a sophisticated work tool like this for N39,000, then the Microfinance Bank has an opportunity here and we are going to be meeting with them so that they can support these people in the village to have these kinds of tools.
Capturing Nigerian and African Market
In terms of market share, our focus mainly is the customer. We are going to be a disciplined company; we are going to listen to our customers; we are going to ask them what they want and we will endeavour to deliver on their request. Now, we are setting up a special network site called myanabel.com where citizens of the Anabel community – those who have bought our products and those who feel an affiliation with Anabel brand – can join that community and communicate to us what they think, how we can improve, what we can improve on because nobody has monopoly of ideas. Whatever the customers come up with, once it is consistent and spread across the globe, we will implement those ideas and give customers what they want. We believe that when you focus on the customers, the market share is yours for the taking. So, rather than focusing on the market share, we will focus on the customers, and what they would do is vote with their cash; they will vote with their demand and the rest becomes history. Our prospects depend solely on the customer, if the customer is unhappy with our products, then of course, we will move in a different direction. If otherwise, then our prospects are bright. It is all about what the customer wants; the prospects are tied clearly to that customer approach. We are not going to run our company like some others have done – they come up with ideas and force them down the customers’ throat. We want the customers to tell us what they want and then, we would implement them if they are worth it.
AnabelMobile Factories
We intend to actually have a factory in Nigeria in the next 3 – 4years but that would depend to a large extent on the power situation in the country. We are dealing with an international brand and we cannot be manufacturing at a loss when other international brands are doing that cost effectively. In that case, we need to make sure that the conditions for manufacturing these kinds of products are good and the power situation has been taken care of. I expect it should be taken care of in the next 3 – 4years, so we are planning in that direction.
Introducing Affordability Models
We do intend to service different segments of the market. The market segment that we are focused on now is the businesspersons, the professionals and the sophisticated students. Those aspects of the market that require phones that are little more affordable (if you will) – we would be providing phones for them. They may not necessarily be Smartphones but they would be good feature phones, and we would create features that everyone would be excited about. We have people in our research and development unit in the U.S working on such solutions as we speak, and when those solutions are ready, we will be very happy to announce to Nigerians that we have been able to crack coming up with a feature phone, with the best features in the world at the most affordable price. So, we are working on that but I cannot give you the details of that, but I can tell you that it is something that will make the Nigerian populace and customers very excited.
General News
Haleon Introduces New Corporate Identity in Nigeria

Haleon, a global consumer health company with a purpose to deliver better everyday health, is introducing its corporate identity across Nigeria in a phased transition. Trusted brands such as Panadol, Sensodyne, Macleans, Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000 and Andrews Liver Salts remain unchanged in formulation, quality, and effectiveness.

Following the formal demerger from GSK, Haleon was launched on July 18, 2022, as an independent company 100% focused on consumer health. Haleon is the new home for brands like Sensodyne, Panadol, Centrum and others, trusted by millions worldwide for their proven effectiveness in improving everyday health.
From relieving tooth sensitivity or pain to providing essential vitamins and nutrients, our products are designed to fulfil Haleon’s purpose: to deliver better everyday health with humanity.
This revised corporate identity is a branding change only and does not affect the safety, quality, or efficacy of the products. Haleon is sharing this update as part of its commitment to transparency and consumer confidence, helping consumers continue to choose the brands they know and trust.
Haleon’s collaboration with Fidson Healthcare forms part of this approach, reinforcing the value of local production in supporting trusted everyday health brands in Nigeria.
Panadol Extra 100s and Panadol Pain & Fever 100s are currently being produced and supplied to the market under the Haleon identity. Sensodyne Rapid Action will bear the Haleon corporate identity from mid-June, followed by Andrews Liver Salts later this year.
In due course, additional brands—including Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000, Macleans, and the wider Sensodyne portfolio—will also transition to the Haleon identity.
Haleon remains committed to ensuring consumers can continue to access the same high-quality brands at pharmacies, supermarkets and other retail outlets across Nigeria.
“As Haleon introduces its identity in Nigeria, we want consumers to feel informed and reassured. The trusted products they rely on remain the same in quality, formulation and effectiveness.
“At the same time, our local production approach in partnership with Fidson Healthcare supports reliable access to high-quality everyday health products in Nigeria,” said Himanshu Raj, Haleon General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.
General News
Kaspersky Warns of “Grey” Scam Websites Exploiting User Trust

Recent research by Kaspersky has shown that the so-called “grey” websites repeatedly target all world regions, and this may be driving both financial loss and large-scale data harvesting.

Grey websites are deceptive online platforms that fall outside traditional phishing definitions but still manipulate users into voluntarily handing over money and personal data. Kaspersky’s new report provides detailed insights into the threats posed by the grey websites on global and regional levels.
Unlike classic phishing attacks, which aim to steal credentials outright, grey websites rely on persuasion, misleading interfaces, and hidden terms to exploit users. They often impersonate legitimate services such as e-commerce platforms, financial tools, AI services, or subscription-based content, making them significantly harder to detect.
Kaspersky analysis shows that the majority of suspicious resources globally fall into several recurring categories:
- Fake browser extensions and “security tools” that actually harvest browsing data and track user activity.
- Fraudulent financial platforms including crypto exchanges, trading tools, and investment schemes promising unrealistic returns.
- Intermediary services (e.g., legal or real estate), charging for low-value or nonexistent services while harvesting sensitive personal data.
- Subscription traps offering low-cost trials that convert into costly recurring payments hidden in fine print.
- Fake online shops that either deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all.
Example of a grey website.
A notable trend is the emergence of tools disguised as AI services or image-processing platforms, reflecting attackers’ ability to adapt to current digital trends and target younger audiences.
There are proven security solutions that help users to detect grey websites across different types of devices – those running on Windows, Linux, Android and iOS. The detection model is based on many factors, including domain name and age, IP reputation, stability of the infrastructure used, DNS configurations, HTTP security headers, digital identity and popularity of the web resource and other criteria.
Regional specifics
Regional variations in grey websites demonstrate how threat actors localise scams based on user behaviour and trending technologies.
In Europe, the threat landscape is dominated by links to suspicious browser extensions and fake “privacy-enhancing” tools.
These resources often present themselves as security solutions, promising safer browsing or anonymous search capabilities. In reality, they function as browser hijackers – intercepting traffic, collecting cookies, tracking user behaviour, and injecting advertisements.
The popularity of these threats reflects a high level of user concern around privacy and security, which attackers actively exploit. Additionally, these regions show a steady presence of phishing intermediaries and crypto-related scams, indicating a blend of technical and financially motivated attacks.
Across African markets, financial scams are the most prominent category of suspicious resources. Fraudulent trading platforms, fake brokers, and investment schemes frequently mimic legitimate financial services, often accompanied by fabricated licenses or endorsements.
These platforms typically prevent users from withdrawing funds, instead introducing additional “fees” or taxes to prolong the scam. The concentration of these threats highlights how attackers leverage growing interest in online investing while exploiting gaps in regulatory enforcement and financial literacy.
In the Middle East and North Africa region, suspicious resources frequently mimic communication (Internet telephony) tools, financial platforms, or betting services. Additionally, Ponzi-style investment schemes and crypto scams are widespread, often presented through polished interfaces that mimic legitimate platforms.
Web browser-based threats also play a significant role, with malicious extensions targeting user data and browsing activity. The regional threat profile reflects a convergence of financial fraud and technical compromise, where users risk both data exposure and monetary loss.
“Suspicious websites don’t look harmful at first glance. But they exploit trust, urgency, and familiarity, and a single click on what looks like a harmless AI image tool, a “secure” browser extension, or a heavily discounted online shop could be all it takes to lose money or expose sensitive data.
Instead of direct credential theft, attackers turn to behavioural manipulation – whether that’s subscribing, investing, or installing software,” comments Anna Larkina, Web Content and Privacy Analysis Expert at Kaspersky.
General News
MSMEs Paucity of Funds Receives Boost as Senate Backs Bill Seeking to Unlock Cash for them

Businesses across Nigeria, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), may soon be able to convert unpaid invoices and credit sales into immediate cash without relying on conventional bank loans following the passage of the Factoring, Assignments and Receivables Financing Bill for second reading in the Senate.

The bill, which seeks to establish a legal framework for factoring and receivables financing, is expected to improve access to credit, boost liquidity for businesses and enhance domestic and international trade.
It also seeks to provide legal certainty for the assignment of receivables through factoring, promote transparency, modernise assignment laws and facilitate greater access to credit for businesses across the country.
Leading debate on the bill which was sent from the House of Representatives for concurrence, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said on Tuesday that the proposed legislation would create an enabling environment for debt factoring to thrive in Nigeria while defining the rights and obligations of creditors, factors and debtors involved in such transactions.
He explained that the bill provides for factoring contracts between sellers and factors and clarifies the legal relationship among parties in receivables financing arrangements.
According to Bamidele, the legislation has already passed all legislative stages in the House of Representatives and has complied with the Senate’s procedural requirements under Order 78(3) of the Senate Standing Orders.
He told lawmakers that the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Compliance, chaired by Abdul Ningi, had scrutinised and cleared the bill for concurrence.
“The committee confirmed that all procedural requirements for consideration and concurrence by the Senate have been fully met,” he said.
Seconding the bill, Adetokunbo Abiru said the legislation would provide businesses with an alternative source of financing by enabling them to turn credit sales into cash and improve their working capital.
Abiru noted that factoring has become increasingly popular across Africa over the last decade, largely through initiatives supported by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
He disclosed that the African factoring market is currently valued at over $50 billion, but Nigeria’s participation remains below one per cent.
According to him, countries such as Egypt and Morocco have benefited significantly from the financing model, adding that Nigeria risks missing out on the growing market without a clear regulatory framework.
“I think that passing this major legislation will help support our micro, small and medium enterprises in terms of converting most of their credit sales into cash without going through the normal borrowing arrangement,” Abiru said.
In his remarks, Ningi also assured lawmakers that the compliance committee had reviewed the bill and found no legal impediments to its passage.
Following a voice vote, the Senate approved the bill for second reading and subsequently referred it to the Committee of the Whole for clause-by-clause consideration.
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