26112022

30—SATURDAY Vanguard, NOVEMBER 26, 2022
FG tasks NICA on credit system that
promotes economic growth,
sustainability
Stories by Moses Nosike
onsidering the role of credit in a
Cgrowing economy of Africa
especially Nigeria, the President at
the unveiling of the National
Institute of Credit Administration
(NICA) (Establishment), Act 2022
has tasked the Institute on the
effective use of credit for the growth
of the Nigerianeconomy.
Speaking during the unveiling,
Honourable Minister of Finance,
Budget and National Planning, Mrs
Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, who
represented President
Muhammadu Buhari commended
the determination and painstaking
commitments of critical
stakeholders for another major
milestone in our nation’s quest to
institutionalise systems that would
ensure the steady growth, stability
and sustainability of our economy.
According to her, no economy
grows without the use of credit and
there is no example of any advanced
society where credit is not in use. “It
is however imperative to state that
credit at any level or sector, if not
properly managed could spell
doom for an economy. This is why
the Federal Government took
deliberate steps towards ensuring an
enduring credit system within our
economy to be managed by
reputable professionals”.
The Honourable Minister of
Finance, Budget and National
Planning said that it was therefore
with these in mind that on Tuesday,
August 16, 2022, Mr. President
signed into law the National
Institute of Credit Administration
(Establishment), Act, 2022. “With
this Assent, the Institute is now
known as the National Institute of
Organisers of the just
concluded House of Model
Television Reality Show Season 4
had revealed that the TV Reality
Show was meant to sharpen the
talents of Nigerian youths for selfreliant
especially now that
unemployment rate is increasing
among young Nigerians.
Speaking at the prize presentation
in Lagos, winner of the House of
Model TV Reality Show Season 4,
Ogbodo Godfrey who is from
Enugu state told newsmen that he
did not regret contesting the TV
Reality Show that was made of 27
contestants in the house.
Narrating his experience, Godfrey
said, “we were given various tasks
to handle and those tasks helped
you to gain new ideas as I perform
them. “As the show progressed, the
contestants were reduced to five and
glory be to God, I emerged as the
winner of the competition”.
Godfrey who is a Disco Jockey
and artiste said, “I feel happy and
great winning the competition. I
commend the organisers for given
me the opportunity to participate
in this show. The show has made
me become more confident and has
brought fame to my career”.
Credit Administration (NICA). This
is also a signal that an
unprecedented foundation has now
been laid by the present
Administration for the transition of
Nigeria’s economy from a cashbased
to a credit-based system that
would serve as catalyst for economic
growth and development. I therefore
charge NICA to ensure that bad
management of trade credit,
unethical handling of consumer
credit, and unprofessional treatment
in business credit dealings with
SMEs are reduced to the barest
minimum. I therefore call on all key
players to support the Institute to
deliver its mandate for the
development of a robust creditbased
economy and to also take
advantage of this Act to entrench
professionalism and ethical
conduct”.
In addition, the Registrar/CEO,
NICA, Prof Chris Onalo said that by
implication, this is an important day
for Nigeria’s credit industry, a major
milestone in our drive to build a
resilient credit economy.
“I must admit that this is also a
special day for me, as this is one of
those few occasions that, because of
the super importance of NICA
enabling Act, the President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria has to
come to unveil the NICA Act formally
to the nation”.
In the same vein, President and
Chairman of Governing Council, Mr.
Andy Ojei, said, “Indeed, it is a dream
of many years made possible after
operating the former Institute of
Credit Administration (ICA) without
national recognition for three
decades”.
Continuing, Ojei said that by
attaining membership of the
National Institute of Credit
Administration (NICA), members
have the opportunity to participate
regularly in informative round table
discussions of credit types, as well as
share concerns about credit
management procedures.
2022 NMA records 106 entries, as organisers assure of
transparency
A
total of 106 entries, across 25
categories, were said to have
been recorded at the just-concluded
Nigerian Marketing Awards
(NMA).
The Chairman of the Award
Decision Council (ADC), Mr.
Ekwunife Okoli, disclosed this at
the award ceremony held in
Lagos, recently.
Okoli, who was represented by
a member of the Council, Mrs.
Iquo Ukoh, described the figure as
impressive, giving the levels of
competitiveness of the entries.
He also expressed the Council’s
delight at the level of creativity
and diversity of the entries
submitted for the Awards, a
development, he added, made the
Group photographs of NICA members, the Honourable Minister of Finance,
Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab S. Ahmed and others during
the unveiling NICA Act in Lagos.
task of arriving at the choices of the
winners, quiet daunting.
While congratulating the
winners in the 25 categories for
proving their professional mettles,
Okoli however appealed to brands
and individuals that failed to
make it, not to be discouraged, but
should rather put in more efforts
in the coming editions of the
awards.
He congratulated the organisers
of the award for coming up with a
reward initiative that eventual
winners would be proud of.
Speaking at the event, the
Convener of the initiative, Mr.
Tony Agenmonmen, assured of
the organisation’s commitment
to enthrone the highest level of
transparency and standards, in
its quests to celebrating individuals
Improving skill of youths, our target, says organisers
Winner of the House of Model TV
Reality Show Season 4, Ogbodo
Godfrey and organisers at prize
presentation in Lagos.
When asked of the prizes won,
Godfrey told the media that he
won a car and N1m. “I will use
the cash prize to start my comedy
skits and do something great for
youths in my community”.
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and brands that have carved a niche
for themselves on Nigeria’s
marketing space.
The immediate past President of
the National Institute of
Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN),
stated that the decision to come
up with the marketing award,
stemmed from the need to redefine
how the nation’s hardworking
and highly professional
marketing people should be
celebrated.
He added that one of the focus
areas of the organisers, when the
idea was conceived few years ago,
was to have a marketing awards
programme in Nigeria that would
be transparent, credible, and
comparable to the best in any part
of the world.
First runner-up, Idiege Joseph,
said, “I’m happy for making it to
this stage of the competition. The
platform has given me
opportunities to explore my
potentials. I won a cash prize of
N100,000. I learnt a lot of things
in the house which will help me in
my music and acting career. I
learnt how to interact and deal
with people in the society. I will
say thank you to the organisers
for doing a great job in my life”.
Second runner-up, John Tari
Itohan, a model said that the show
is wonderful and I recommend
youths to participate in future
editions of the competition because
it will bring them to limelight and
make them celebrities, and it
builds one’s confidence.
Itohan said, “my experience was
lovely, it was tough with the
various tasks and you meet people
with different characters. The
show has made me a celebrity and
I will put into practice all the things
that I leart during the show. The
major things that I learnt during
the show were discipline,
comportment and adapting to any
situation that you find yourself. I
thank my fans for their support.
Fidelity Bank showcases the best of
Nigerian Non-Oil Exports at FITCC
L- R: Ms. Karen Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Africa; Mr. Mustafa
Chike-Obi, Chairman, Fidelity Bank Plc; Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing
Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc; Prof Benedict Oramah,
President and Chairman, African Export and Import Bank (AFREXIM);
Ms Kanayo Anwani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank,
AFREXIM; and Mrs. Uju Ifejika, Chairperson/ Chief Executive Officer,
Brittania-U Nigeria Limited at the Fidelity International Trade & Creative
Connect (FITCC) in London, United Kingdom recently.
In what has been termed the largest trade exhibition by Nigerian-based
businesses in the United Kingdom in recent times and a major move in
increasing Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings, leading financial institution
-Fidelity Bank Plc hosted the maiden edition of its international trade expo.
Held at Novotel West, Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom on
Tuesday, 15 and Wednesday, 16 November 2022, the expo tagged -the Fidelity
International Trade and Creative Connect (FITCC), featured a host of
activities designed to position Nigerian businesses for increased partnership,
financing, product-offtake and investment opportunities in the United
Kingdom and Europe.
“In collaboration with our strategic partners, we have created this platform
to connect Nigerian exporters with UK buyers. This inaugural edition of the
Fidelity International Trade & Creative Connect (FITCC) hosts more than
100 exhibitors from Nigeria with product offerings ranging from processed
food to fashion, fintech and the arts.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a leading financial institution in Nigeria and a market
leader in supporting small and medium scale enterprises and export-oriented
businesses. This event is therefore an extension of the support that we provide
to the business ecosystem in Nigeria as work to help them compete favourably
on the global stage”, explained Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO, Fidelity
Bank Plc in her welcome remarks.
The well-attended event also featured keynote addresses by Prof Benedict
Oramah, President and Chairman, African Export and Import Bank
(AFREXIM) and Aminu Takuma, Regional Coordinator, Nigerian
Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) who discussed “Leveraging
International Partnerships to Transform Africa’s Trade & Creatives” and
“Selling Nigeria to the World (Spotlighting Investment Opportunities and
Incentives) respectively on Day 1 of the conference.
Mustafa Chike-Obi, Chairman, Fidelity Bank Plc gave a keynote address
titled, “Connecting Nigeria to the World Through Trade Enhancements and
Creative Exchange” while Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN
Nigeria also anchored a fireside chat on “Fintech and the Creative Economy.
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Cadbury y Nigeria launches new
Bournvita biscuit
Cadbury Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of Mondelez International, has
announced the introduction of new Bournvita Biscuit into the
Nigerian market. The announcement was made at a launch ceremony
held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja GRA on November 10, 2022. The
Biscuit is the newest addition to Cadbury’s growing portfolio and the first
biscuit brand in the history of the Company.
Addressing Cadbury Business Partners (CBPs), invited guests and other
stakeholders at the media launch is the Managing Director, Cadbury West
Africa, Mrs. Oyeyimika Adeboye, said, “Today’s launch of the Bournvita
Biscuit is a milestone for us because we have added a fourth product category
to our existing portfolio. We are delighted to introduce Nigerians to the
newest chocolatey, crunchy, and tasty experience of Cadbury Bournvita
Biscuit. According to her, health and quality have become extremely
important to our customers. “They prefer snacking products that provide
wholesome nourishment. Taste also continues to be a significant aspect for
them, and we have capitalized on this desire to launch biscuits, following
extensive market research.
“I want to use this medium to acknowledge our regulatory partners - the
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC),
the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), among others, for their
support in ensuring we achieved our commitment to delivering top-notch
quality and healthy products to Nigerians. The Biscuit Plant will create
thousands of direct and indirect jobs along the value chain. Our growth
mindset will drive us to continue introducing products that meet the needs
of our consumers.” The new Cadbury Bournvita Biscuit comes in two
consumer pack units of six and 10 cookies, which sell for N60 and N100,
respectively. The biscuit delivers on a chocolate taste enriched with real
milk and vitamins and offers a new and unique snacking option for its
consumers.
Indomie partners Filmhouse to
launch its new flavour
As the king of Jollof, it is only natural that the new Indomie
flavour, Indomie Jollof Chicken is launched with pomp and
pageantry. Indomie Jollof Chicken made its first appearance in
Nigerians at the premiere of Wakanda Forever, a well-acclaimed
movie, on November 9, 2022. It was a night of fun, laughter, games,
praises for Jollof, and of course more than enough Indomie Jollof
Chicken to go around. Nigeria’s number one noodle, Indomie
Noodles partnered Film house’s IMAX cinemas to launch the newest
addition to its yummy list of flavors, the Jollof Chicken flavor at the
launch of the movie. Movies x Indomie Jollof Chicken, I mean where
would you rather be?
The launch kicked off to a great start with the face painting session
adorning the beautiful faces at the event. Next, we had the sampling
session where everyone had an amazing time enjoying the savory
and sumptuous Jollof Chicken. Everyone had praises on their lips
for the King of Jollof. The highlight of the event was Jollof Chicken
regal celebration as of the King of Jollof. We saw a pack of the
Indomie Jollof Chicken sitting on its royal Wakanda-themed throne
and praise singers eulogizing it. Next, these praise singers eulogized
everyone at the launch while they displayed and showed off their
costumes while sitting on the Indomie Jollof Chicken throne. The
praises got them dancing and generally having a great time.