News
Nigerian Breweries Launches Isedowo to Empower Small Businesses, Artisans
Nigerian Breweries, brewers of Life Continental Lager and Goldberg Lager Beer have announced plans to continue their tradition of investing in artisans and small businesses through the Goldberg Isedowo and Life Progress Booster initiatives.
The 2021 Life Progress Booster initiative was flagged off last weekend, while Isedowo’s project is set to launch this weekend. The empowerment platforms have impacted nearly 1000 businesses and artisans with grants of N200,000.
Launched in 2015, Life Progress Booster focuses on rewarding enterprising minds with the sum of 200,000 naira to help them implement ideas that will scale their business operations. Since inception, the CSR project has supported at least 600 businesses, mostly in the South of Nigeria.
The Isedowo initiative on the other hand has been focused on supporting Goldberg’s consumers in the informal sector since 2017, building relationships with informal trade associations to ensure it is able to reach more artisans and support their craft. Beyond its empowerment goal, it has also become a seal of approval and encouragement for hard work among the average South Westerner in Nigeria.
Commenting on the impact of these campaigns over the years, Kehinde Kadiri, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Portfolio, Nigerian Breweries Plc., said it has been a delight to watch the Life Progress Booster campaign grow and help many businesses in the Southern part of Nigeria scale and achieve some sustainability.
She added that; “these projects are important considering the economic issues and rising rate of unemployment in the country, as they are the best reminders that hard work always pays.”
Life Progress Booster is expected to cover Rivers, Delta and Edo States, in addition to the five states of the South East, while Goldberg’s Isedowo will go through Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos and Ekiti states.
In the last 4 years, Goldberg has awarded at least N3,000,000 to 100 artisans mostly within rural communities in the target states that it has reached, also celebrating their successes with exciting large scale experiential events.
At the Progress booster activation events, consumers can submit their business plans as entries to win N200,000.
Goldberg Lager was launched in 2009, 28 years after Life Lager Beer was first brewed in 1981 in Onitsha. Both beers are consumer favourites in the South-Western and South-Eastern parts of Nigeria due to their fine quality and recognition of the culture of its consumers.
News
Union Bank gets Multiple ISO Certifications
Union Bank has attained certifications in MSECB management system in ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISO 22301:2019, and ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018.
MSECB is a leading international provider of audit and certification services for management systems based on a wide range of global standards.
A recent statement from the bank disclosed that it received the certifications following assessments of its management system covering information security, its service delivery, and business continuity standards under the combined Information Management Systems standards.
The information security management systems ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISO 22301:2019, and ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 are internationally recognised standards that outline the requirements for establishing an effective information management system that guides against data breaches, IT system compromises, and disruptions to business processes.
Commenting on the bank’s recent attainment, Francis Mojoyinlola, Chief Information Security Officer at Union Bank, said, “The bank’s continued adherence to best international practices, as acknowledged by an independent third-party audit from a reputable international certification firm, reaffirms our capacity to erect, implement, and maintain best information and security management practices.
“We remain committed to offering our esteemed customers simpler, more innovative services rooted in the highest standards of information security and cutting-edge innovative banking service.”
The recent achievement by Union Bank follows the bank’s recertification of Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard version 3.2 and the International Organisation for Standardisation ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification attained in 2018.
According to the lender, it further highlights its commitment to the strictest information management security standards while securing its pride of place as one of Nigeria’s most trusted financial institutions.
News
PalmPay Bolsters Lagos Agriculture Initiative with Effortless Payment Solutions
PalmPay, a leading fintech platform, has partnered with the Lagos State Government to bolster its agricultural initiative, offering robust payment solutions to empower residents and businesses alike with the necessary financial tools for success through the Food Discount Market initiative tagged – Ounje Eko.
Ounje Eko, meaning – Lagos Food, is a food intervention program by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, aimed at providing succour to residents. This initiative is taking place across five (5) divisions of the State.
The Ounje Eko markets were opened at 27 locations in Ikeja; six in Lagos Island; nine in Ikorodu; five in Epe; and 10 in Badagry divisions. The food items – rice, beans, garri, bread, eggs, tomatoes, and pepper, among others – were sold at a 25% discount to residents.
Commenting on the initiative, Enakeno Umuteme, the Head of Marketing Communications, PalmPay, noted, “The Ounje Eko is indeed a laudable initiative especially as the country’s inflation rate stands at 30% according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
“PalmPay is privileged to have participated in the Ounje Eko Initiative and offered its support as one of the Independent Payment Solution providers to have partnered with Lagos State Government as payment platforms providing POS terminals as a means of payment.”
Mr Umuteme added, “At PalmPay, we are always committed to empowering individuals and businesses with the tools they need to thrive, and we believe that having supported this intervention, we were able to make a meaningful impact in our community.”
With PalmPay’s expertise in delivering secure and efficient digital payment solutions, coupled with its involvement in the discounted market initiative, both vendors and consumers can anticipate a seamless and user-friendly experience.
News
6 Ways Agritech can Revolutionise Grocery Aisles
By Diana Tenebe, Chief Operating Officer, FoodStuff Store
Forget grocery drudgery. Imagine vibrant shelves overflowing with fresh produce, thanks to a digital revolution on the farm. Agritech tackles food waste, not directly on store shelves, but throughout the food journey.
Globally, food waste is a staggering 1.6 billion tons, with a significant portion lost in supply chains. In Nigeria alone, 14 million tons are wasted annually. Here are 6 ways Agritech can offer a solution.
Precision Farming: Gone are the days of guesswork. Sensors and data analysis nowadays provide real-time insights, allowing farmers to optimise resource use and boost yields. Imagine perfectly nurtured fruits and vegetables! Additionally, agritech can analyse consumer demand and weather patterns to optimise harvests, reducing surplus that spoils before reaching stores.
Fresher, Faster Deliveries: The farm-to-store journey can be improved on so it is no longer slow and wasteful. Advancements in logistics, storage, and distribution ensure food arrives fresher and faster. Cold chain improvements and optimised routes mean fruits and vegetables retain nutrients and flavour all the way to the grocery aisle. Agritech can also play a role here by using sensors to monitor storage conditions and track shipments, minimising spoilage during transport.
Beyond Efficiency: Agritech isn’t just about optimising existing food systems. It can also be used in driving innovation. From plant-based alternatives to lab-grown meat, agritech across the world is pushing the boundaries of what we consider “food,” offering consumers a wider variety of healthy and sustainable choices.
Connecting the Dots: Traditionally, a complex web of middlemen stands between farms and supermarkets. This lengthens the supply chain, impacting both freshness and price. Agritech platforms disrupt this model by establishing a direct link between producers and retailers. Imagine farmers uploading their harvest information, including type, quantity, and quality, directly onto an Agritech platform. Supermarkets can then browse these offerings and place orders efficiently. This streamlined process eliminates unnecessary intermediaries, reducing costs and expediting delivery.
Extending Shelf Life: Research focuses on developing technologies like special packaging or coatings to slow down spoilage and extend the shelf life of perishables. These coatings might act as a second skin, regulating moisture loss and respiration rates, or even contain natural antimicrobials to fight off spoilage-causing bacteria. This not only reduces food waste but also keeps our grocery aisles stocked with fresher produce for longer.
Reducing Waste, Fighting Hunger: Agritech can connect supermarkets with organisations that collect surplus food nearing expiry. This food can be redistributed to communities or food banks, reducing waste and hunger.
Agritech’s digital revolution is transforming food production, impacting what ends up on our shelves, paving the way for a future with less waste and more abundance.
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