brands/telecom

Nigeria’s ADVAN Awarded for Championing Better Marketing Locally By The World Federation of Advertisers

Published

7 months ago

May 20, 2024

Nigeria’s ADVAN Awarded for Championing Better Marketing Locally By The World Federation of Advertisers

In recognition of its efforts to enhance the marketing industry, the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has been honoured with a special award for its brief writing Proogrammeme during the Global Marketer Week in Toronto, organized by the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA).
The annual President’s Awards, a prestigious accolade which forms a part of the Global Marketer Week, was launched in 2010 by the WFA to celebrate exceptional initiatives spearheaded by national industry associations that contribute to positive change in the marketing industry and society at large.
This year’s winners were selected from an impressive pool of 27 initiatives submitted by 14 associations from WFA’s expansive 60-strong membership of national associations worldwide, according to the WFA.
ADVAN’s visionary brief writing training and competition has been singled out for its remarkable impact in addressing one of the most persistent and pervasive challenges confronting the marketing ecosystem – poor briefing, which often leads to ineffective and lackluster creative output. The Programme seeks to infuse new and innovative creative methods into the art of brief writing, ultimately elevating the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing campaigns across the nation.
Alongside ADVAN’s special recognition, five other outstanding industry initiatives from around the world were honoured at the prestigious event. These included “Oneframe” by Union des marques in France, a standardized and open-source carbon calculation framework for measuring the greenhouse gas footprint of marketing campaigns; “The NMO Listening Survey” by bvA in the Netherlands, a new method of audio audience measurement enabling more targeted audio campaigns; “Campus Marketing” by Sveriges Annonsörer in Sweden, a training platform designed to help marketing teams gain new knowledge and implement strategies; “Responsible Retail Media Framework” by ISBA in the UK, a framework to standardize retail media measurement; and “AIMM Diverse Media GrowthFronts” by ANA in the USA, an initiative to gain greater equity in the media space by increasing visibility, access, collaboration, development, and investment in diverse media.
Speaking on the awards, Raja Rajamannar, WFA president and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Mastercard remarks, “Our national associations are doing incredible work on behalf of their brand members – and the broader marketing industry. Each of these six local initiatives exemplifies the power of collaboration to tackle big issues facing our industry and establish best practices for marketers everywhere.”

Business

MTN Contributes N200bn Monthly in VAT, Driving Tax Reform Debate

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Sahara Weekly

MTN Contributes N200bn Monthly in VAT, Driving Tax Reform Debate

MTN Nigeria, the nation’s largest telecom company, pays over N200 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT) monthly, making it the single biggest contributor to the country’s VAT revenue, according to Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee.

Speaking at Channels Television’s Town Hall on Tax Reforms, Oyedele highlighted significant disparities in the current VAT allocation system, revealing that all VAT paid by MTN is credited solely to Lagos State, where the company’s headquarters is located, despite the fact that services generating this revenue are consumed nationwide.

“MTN is the largest contributor to VAT in Nigeria,” Oyedele stated. “They pay over N200bn every month, and the gap between them and the second-largest contributor is massive. However, all this VAT is currently allocated to Lagos, even as calls are made across states like Kano, the FCT, Ekiti, Edo, and Kebbi.”

As part of the ongoing tax reform efforts, the committee has proposed a new framework to ensure equitable distribution of VAT revenues based on consumption rather than the corporate headquarters’ location.

Under the proposed redistribution model, Lagos State, which now retains the full N200bn from MTN, would see its share reduced to around 20 per cent. The remaining revenue would be distributed more fairly among other states where the services are consumed.

“This adjustment ensures states where VAT is generated get their fair share,” Oyedele explained. “While Lagos State’s share decreases slightly, every other state stands to gain under the new system.”

The tax reform bill, designed to address inefficiencies and promote fairness in Nigeria’s fiscal policies, has sparked debate among stakeholders. Critics have accused the committee of advancing policies that may negatively impact certain regions.

Oyedele, however, dismissed these claims, arguing that the current system is flawed and in need of urgent correction. “If something is being done wrongly, how can Lagos State or anyone oppose reforms aimed at fixing it?” he questioned.

The proposed reforms, which include provisions for revenue redistribution and efficiency improvements, are seen as pivotal to ensuring fairness and sustainability in Nigeria’s tax system.

brands/telecom

Celebrate Your Wins, No Matter How Small-Prudent Ludidi

Published

1 month ago

November 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Those who wronged you may never say "I'm sorry" - Prudent Ludidi

“Celebrate Your Wins, No Matter How Small-Prudent Ludidi

Today, I want to talk about something incredibly important, yet often overlooked: celebrating our wins. Yes, you heard that right – celebrating our wins, no matter how small.

We live in a world that constantly pushes us to achieve more, be more, and do more. We’re always striving for the next goal, the next milestone, the next achievement. And while ambition is great, it’s equally important to acknowledge and celebrate the small victories along the way.

Think about it. How often do you achieve something amazing, only to dismiss it as “not a big deal” or “just part of your job”? How often do you downplay your successes or attribute them to luck rather than your hard work and dedication?

Here’s the thing: every win, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. Every achievement, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is a testament to your strength, resilience, and determination.

Celebrating your wins does several things. Firstly, it boosts your confidence and self-esteem. When you acknowledge your achievements, you remind yourself of your capabilities and potential.

Secondly, celebrating your wins helps you stay motivated and focused. By recognizing your progress, you’re more likely to stay committed to your goals and keep pushing forward.

Thirdly, celebrating your wins fosters a positive mindset. When you focus on what you’ve achieved, rather than dwelling on what’s still to be done, you cultivate gratitude, happiness, and contentment.

So, how can you start celebrating your wins?

Start small. Write down three things you’ve accomplished each day before bed. Share your achievements with a friend or family member. Treat yourself to something special.

Celebrate the tiny victories: finishing a difficult project, trying a new recipe, or simply making it through a tough day.

Celebrate the milestones: landing a new job, running a marathon, or graduating from college.

And celebrate the moments in between: learning a new skill, making a new connection, or taking a much-needed break.

Remember, celebrating your wins isn’t about being arrogant or boastful. It’s about acknowledging your hard work and dedication. It’s about recognizing your worth and value.

Don’t wait until you’ve achieved something “big” to celebrate. Celebrate every win, no matter how small. Celebrate every achievement, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

You are worthy of recognition. You are worthy of celebration. And you are worthy of acknowledging your own strength and resilience!

brands/telecom

Afriq Group CEO, Staff graduates of Certified Cryptocurrency Compliance Specialist 3Cs

Published

1 month ago

November 9, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Afriq Group CEO, Staff graduates of Certified Cryptocurrency Compliance Specialist 3Cs

The A&D Forensic Institute has awarded staff members of the Afriq Group of Companies the Certified Cryptocurrency Compliance Specialist (CCCS) certification after they successfully completed the required training. The ceremony, held in Abuja from November 4 to 8, 2024, marked a significant milestone for Afriq Group’s dedication to compliance and security in the cryptocurrency sector.

Notably, Afriq Group of Companies is the first Cryptocurrency company in Africa to train over 12 staff members as Certified Cryptocurrency Compliance Specialist.

During the event, Mr. Jesam Michael, CEO of Afriq Group, expressed his gratitude to the A&D Forensic Institute for their in-depth training. He acknowledged that previously, the company focused mainly on trading and profit-making in the crypto space but had now realized the value of knowledge and compliance. “We were mainly focused on making money, but A&D has helped us see the importance of a knowledge base in the crypto space,” Mr. Jesam Michael said.

A highlight of the training week was the introduction of Mrs. Faith E., Afriq Group’s new Cryptocurrency Consultant, who visited the staff on the fourth day. The CEO described her as a mentor and guide for the company’s growth. Mrs. Faith, a seasoned expert in cryptocurrency since 2016, emphasized the importance of education in the evolving technological space. She noted, “People often view technology as magic, but anything lasting over a decade is no longer a trick; it is innovation.” Mrs. Faith stressed that staying educated is essential for Afriq Group to protect its reputation and thrive within the global community, especially given the challenges of operating in a sensitive and risky sector.

She also highlighted how this training would elevate the staff’s capabilities and open new career paths for them. “This training benefits you as individuals first, making you certified specialists, which is recognized internationally,” she said. Mrs. Faith urged the participants to make the most of their knowledge and continue learning to strengthen Afriq Group’s position in the market.

After completing their certification exams, the staff received their CCCS certificates. Mr. Martin, CEO of Farm Trading, joined the ceremony to present the certification to Mr. Jesam Michael as a newly certified Cryptocurrency Investigator. In his remarks, Mr. Martin praised the achievement as a positive step for compliance in the industry and emphasized the balance between business operations and regulatory standards. “Work closely with management, document processes, and follow rules carefully. This way, your role as compliance officers can drive success without jeopardizing business integrity,” he advised.

The event concluded with renewed excitement and a sense of purpose among the staff, who now hold specialized expertise in cryptocurrency compliance. Mr. Jesam Michael reminded everyone to continue their dedication, noting that their work would be under the scrutiny of experts like Mrs. Faith to ensure excellence and adherence to best practices.