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Burson-Marsteller Africa Named 2015 African Consultancy of the Year

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(L-r): John Momoh, chairman, Channels Incorporated and Special Guest of Honor, Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, CEO of CMC Connect Burson-Marsteller, Nigeria, Mrs. Robyn de Villiers, chairman/CEO Burson-Marsteller, Africa, and Akin Opeodu, board chairman, CMC Connect Limited, at the unveiling of the new brand identity of CMC Connect Burson-Marsteller, at the Bridge House, corporate headquarters of CMC Connect in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos recently.
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Burson-Marsteller Africa, a leading public relations and communications firm and exclusive affiliate to CMC Connect Limited in Nigeria, was named “2015 African Consultancy of the Year” by the prestigious Holmes Report, the most highly ranked awards organisation for the PR industry globally.

The award was made at a glittering awards ceremony on Tuesday 19 May in London.

Burson-Marsteller Africa also bagged the Gold Sabre in the Geographic Category for Africa for the K9 Anti-Poaching Awareness Campaign for Paramount Group.

And, Blast Communications, Burson-Marsteller Africa’s exclusive affiliate in Mauritius picked up the Gold Sabre for Financial Services Communications for their Ebola Fund Raising Campaign for client, ABAX.

Paul Holmes, founder and CEO of The Holmes Report, said: “There is a possibility that 2014 may go down in history as the year giant multinational public relations agencies started paying serious attention to Africa with a number of acquisitions and office openings.

“It is going to be some time before any of them catch up to Burson-Marsteller, which acquired South African firm Arcay Communications in 2011 and in February of last year rebranded that business—as well as 12 long time affiliates with operations in 27 African nations—under the Burson banner. Uganda and Nigeria were added later in the year, giving Burson-Marsteller the most formidable pan-African footprint of any agency by a considerable margin.”

Burson-Marsteller Africa is the only agency, in the history of the “African Consultancy of the Year” award, to have won the award twice, and to have been a finalist in every one of the Award’s six years.

Holmes also acknowledged Robyn de Villiers, as “a leader in the industry—one of the few multinational principals to hold a senior role in the African PR Association—and who is spearheading the firm’s new thought leadership initiative, focused on the changing attitudes of the continent’s youth.”

Jeremy Galbraith, CEO Burson-Marsteller Europe, Middle East & Africa and Global Chief Strategy Officer, added: “I am delighted that the Holmes Report has awarded Burson-Marsteller the “2015 African Consultancy of the Year” award.

This is on the back of a remarkable 17% growth last year, on top of a 35% increase in 2013, with new business coming from clients in a number of sectors including ICT, energy, motoring, hospitality, finance, mining, defence and aerospace, and property development. This is incredible recognition for Robyn who remains a leader in the industry and my thanks to her for spearheading a great team and driving the roll-out of the Burson-Marsteller brand across the continent of Africa.”

Robyn de Villiers, Chairman and CEO of Burson-Marsteller Africa concluded: “We are thrilled to have been named “2015 African Consultancy of the Year”. For 26 years our commitment to growing partnerships has underpinned Burson-Marsteller’s activities across Africa. This award is apt recognition for what was a truly special year, as we launched our new branded partner model with our longstanding exclusive affiliates across the continent and raised the Burson-Marsteller flag in 29 markets in just one year. Each one of our partners is individually respected in their own countries and collectively we are recognised as the pre-eminent African communications network.”

Burson-Marsteller Africa has an unparalleled reach across Africa. The firm has branded operations in 29 countries and operations in 53 of the 55 countries through a network which has been built up over 20+ years.

It boasts over 300 consultants across Africa, who offers connectivity, local insight and market relevant strategies in each of their countries.

2015 African Consultancy of the Year finalists were: Burson-Marsteller (winners), Atmosphere, Magna Carta, FleishmanHillard and Waggener Edstrom.


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World Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash

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World Bank has restricted comments on its Instagram page after thousands of Nigerians flooded the platform begging them to stop lending money to Nigeria.

World Bank Blocks Social Media Comments from Nigerians over Loan Backlash

The protest erupted after reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking a fresh $1.25 billion dollar loan for approval on June 26.

Some Nigerians asked the World Bank to provide more details about the purpose of the loan and how the funds would be managed.

Others said the country should reduce dependence on foreign loans and focus on improving local revenue.

The federal government has continued to defend its borrowing plans.

Officials say the funds will support economic reforms, development projects and efforts to strengthen the economy.

Nigeria remains one of the major borrowers from the World Bank in Africa, with different administrations securing loans over the years for infrastructure, social programmes and economic support.


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Lagos Plans New Cybersecurity Centre

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The Lagos State Government plans to establish a Cybersecurity Operations Centre to strengthen protection of government systems, digital services and citizen data amid rising cyber threats linked to the city’s expanding digital economy.

Tunbosun Alake, Lagos commissioner for innovation, science and technology, said the centre would help secure the infrastructure supporting online payments, e-government services, cloud platforms and technology-driven business operations across the state.

According to Alake, the facility will monitor, detect and respond to cyber threats targeting government networks, digital transactions and sensitive public data.

The move comes as Lagos accelerates its smart city agenda through investments in broadband infrastructure, digital identity systems and automated public services.

Alake said Lagos had already deployed 109 Data Protection Officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, which he described as the highest number among Nigerian states, to strengthen compliance with data protection regulations.

Alongside the proposed cybersecurity centre, the state also launched the Lagos Campus Network Upgrade project aimed at improving digital infrastructure within the public sector.

The upgrade is expected to improve network performance, automate internal government processes and enhance digital engagement with residents. The cybersecurity initiative follows the release of Lagos State’s cybersecurity guidelines in April.

The framework recommends measures including multi-factor authentication, vulnerability testing, encrypted backups and tighter endpoint security controls.

The guidelines align with Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act 2024, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021.

 


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LG Electronics Strengthens Household Energy Efficiency in Nigeria with Advanced Inverter Refrigerator Solutions

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LG Electronics (LG) is reinforcing its commitment to smarter and more energy‑efficient living by spotlighting its range of inverter‑powered refrigerators designed to meet the evolving needs of Nigerian households.

As electricity costs continue to rise and inflationary pressures shape consumer spending, LG’s refrigerator portfolio is positioned as a practical solution that combines dependable performance with responsible energy consumption.

Refrigerators are among the most frequently used appliances in Nigerian homes, operating 24 hours a day and accounting for a significant share of household electricity usage. LG addresses this challenge through its proprietary Inverter Compressor technology, which intelligently adjusts cooling power based on actual usage conditions.

By reducing unnecessary energy draw, the system delivers stable temperature control while helping households lower energy consumption and manage monthly utility costs more effectively.

Beyond energy savings, LG refrigerators are designed to support food security and reduce waste, an increasingly important consideration for families navigating rising food prices. The inverter system enables faster cooling recovery after power interruptions and helps maintain consistent internal temperatures, preserving food freshness for longer periods. With fewer friction points in the compressor design, LG refrigerators also offer enhanced durability and long‑term reliability, minimizing maintenance costs over time.

LG’s energy‑saving refrigerator lineup includes Top Mount, Side‑by‑Side, and Door‑in‑Door models, each tailored to different household sizes, storage needs, and lifestyle preferences. The Top Mount refrigerators offer practical, space‑efficient designs ideal for everyday family use, delivering reliable cooling with optimized energy efficiency.

The LG GN-F452PFAQ model keeps food perfectly fresh with FRESH Converter+ that optimizes temperature as per food items and never runs out of ice with the Auto Ice Maker.

For households that require larger storage capacity and improved organization, Side‑by‑Side models provide generous interior space, improved visibility, and consistent cooling across compartments.

For more design‑conscious consumers, LG’s Door‑in‑Door refrigerators reduce cold air loss by allowing quick access to frequently used items, supporting both energy efficiency and long‑lasting freshness.

At the premium end, LG continues to innovate with advanced models such as the MoodUP™ refrigerator, which combines customizable aesthetics with functional energy‑saving features like the InstaView panel, allowing users to view contents without opening the door and reducing unnecessary cold air loss. This refrigerator comes with a washing machine as a bundle promotion.

According to LG, this range‑based approach reflects a deep understanding of how Nigerian households differ in size, consumption habits, and lifestyle needs.

“Nigerian consumers are becoming more intentional about how they use energy and manage household costs,” said Mr. Oktai Kim, General Manager, Home Appliance Solutions, LG Electronics Nigeria. “By offering a diverse range of inverter‑powered refrigerators, we are giving families the flexibility to choose solutions that suit their homes while delivering long‑term value through energy efficiency and dependable performance.”

Rather than focusing on technology alone, LG’s energy‑saving refrigerator portfolio emphasizes everyday benefits, efficient operation, reliable cooling, and designs that adapt to real living conditions. Available nationwide, LG refrigerators continue to support smarter living and economic resilience, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering durable, consumer‑focused home solutions for Nigerian households.


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