MainOne’s Data Centre attains SAP certification http://punchng.com/mainones-data-centre-attains-sap-certification/ 16/08/2016 MainOne has said its data centre subsidiary, MDXi, is now a SAP-certified provider of infrastructure services for SAP solutions. This new certification confirms the ability of the company to deliver high-quality cloud and infrastructure operations services for customers running SAP solutions and recognises the company as the region’s first SAP-certified data centre. The certification will enable MDXi to host and manage SAP applications utilising the company’s enterprise cloud platforms, across its private, public and hybrid cloud solutions, via a consumption-based delivery model. StarTimes, UNAIDS collaborate on anti-AIDS TV content http://punchng.com/startimes-unaids-collaborate-anti-aids-tv-content/ 16/08/2016 The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and StarTimes are in extensive discussions over a robust collaboration road map targeted at delivering anti-HIV/AIDS television content for increased awareness and positive reorientation to Africans through StarTimes network across Africa. The UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, said that UNAIDS would establish partnership with StarTimes to build a new bridge between Africa and China during a meeting with China-Africa Business Council in Beijing. NCC rates telecoms firms in data subscription http://punchng.com/ncc-rates-telecoms-firms-data-subscription/ 16/08/2016 The Nigerian Communications Commission has released details of how the four major operators fared in the data market in the month of June. From the figures published on the commission’s website, Globacom finished top of the table with 26,628,065 Internet subscribers. This shows an addition of 272,674 new subscribers during the month as the company’s figure for May was 26,355,391. Globacom’s new addition in June represents 86 per cent of new Internet subscribers recorded by the four major operators during the month being considered. The total for all the four operators was 318, 008. Airtel finished second with 45,334 new Internet users in the month, moving from 17,280,089 in May to 17,325,423 subscribers in June. However, the other two operators, MTN and Etisalat, lost Internet subscribers in June. MTN had 134,609 users of the net leaving its network. It thus went down from 33,108,786 data subscribers in May to 32,974,177 in June. Etisalat was the heavier loser as it recorded 15,508,024 data users in May and 15,253,513 at the end of June. This indicated a loss of 254,511 Internet subscribers in one month. UACN, HS Media, Launch Reality Show http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/08/14/uacn-hs-media-launch-reality-show-2/ 14/08/2016 After months of build-up campaigns to prepare television audience for the UAC Unscripted, the reality show has finally been unveiled. UAC Unscripted is the brainchild of the United Africa Company of Nigeria (UACN) in conjunction with its agency, HS Media Group, a global sports conglomerate television outfit. The 30 minutes family game show, which airs on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) every Monday night, has comedian Okey Bakassi as host. The first episode, which was previewed for the press at the official launch recently, features stand-up comedian, Owen Gee, and his wife, Moyo; as well as Goje Africa presenter couple, Isaac and Nneka Moses, competing against each other in a friendly atmosphere. For lovers of fun and comedy, this is certainly an exciting time. Glo Collaborates with Channels TV to Push News to Phones http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/08/11/glo-collaborates-with-channels-tv-to-push-news-to-phones/ 11/08/2016 Data grandmasters, Globacom, has entered into a partnership with leading news station, Channels Television, to offer breaking news service to subscribers on the company’s network. According to Globacom’s Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Ashok Israni, the unique video offering will keep subscribers well informed about happenings around the globe as it enables them to watch news on their phones as it breaks.” The service gives our subscribers unlimited access to breaking news around the world from Channels TV on their smart phones. The news will be delivered via video as it is broadcast on conventional television,” he stated. Israni explained that the Channels TV breaking News is a 24-hour news service, and that its introduction further reinforced Globacom’s position as the most innovative network in the country as well as its commitment to giving more value to its subscribers.

Dangote Flour records N8.47bn profit after takeover http://punchng.com/dangote-flour-records-n8-47bn-profit-takeover/ 15/08/2016 Dangote Flour Mills Plc’s profit from operating activities has risen to N8.47bn. This came some months after the group was reacquired from Tiger Branded Consumers Goods Plc. The group posted a profit before tax of N2.64bn in the half-year ended June 30, 2016, compared to a loss of N9.55bn posted in the corresponding period of 2015. Dangote Flour Mills consist of Dangote Flour, Dangote Pasta, and Dangote Noodles. According to its half-year report released on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the flour milling group recorded a gross profit of N14.03bn in the period. The group, in a statement on Sunday, described the financial performance as heartwarming given that the company had recorded losses in the past. It was sold to Tiger Branded Consumer Goods, but later reacquired and re-positioned for good results. Having reacquired the flour mills, the new Board of Directors and management started a restructuring process, which included the reopening of the closed Dangote Flour Mills in Kano. AG Leventis to partner foreign investors on business expansion http://guardian.ng/business-services/ag-leventis-to-partner-foreign-investors-on-business-expansion/ 12/08/2016 AG Leventis has disclosed that the firm is currently discussing with foreign partners to inject fresh capital into the company and revamp its business operations. Speaking at the ‘Facts Behind the figures’ of the company on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday, the Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of AG Leventis, Michael Economakis said the capital inflow would help the firm expand its product portfolio and reduce cost of operations. Speaking on sectors of strategic priorities for the company, Economakis said fast moving consumer goods; automobile, agriculture and real estate are major area the company’s is targeting to develop in the next two years. PEPSI Leads Carbonated Soft Drink Sector at the Nigerian Brand Awards 2016 http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/08/15/pepsi-leads-carbonated-soft-drink-sector-at-the-nigerian-brand-awards-2016/ 15/08/2016 Continuing its winning streak and in demonstration of leadership of the carbonated soft drink market in Nigeria, Pepsi, a product of the Seven Up Bottling Company Plc, clinched the prestigious Iconic Brand of the Year at the just concluded Nigerian Brand Awards 2016, thus entrenching its strong brand presence. This award is an endorsement of the strong brand equity and loyalty the Pepsi brand has among its numerous customers, given the rivalry for leadership in the sector. The brand Icon of the year award is demonstrated by the popularity of a particular brand in a sector and attested to by consumers in the Nigerian market. Pfizer Nigeria Appoints New Country Manager http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/08/14/pfizer-nigeria-appoints-new-country-manager-2/ 14/08/2016 A Leading biopharmaceutical company, Pfizer, has announced the appointment of Mr. Mark Wagstaff as its Country Manager in Nigeria and East Africa Region. It disclosed this in a release issued weekend, that Wagstaff brings to the role a wealth of experience gained across a variety of pharmaceutical companies and markets. According to the Director Corporate Affairs, Margaret Olele, the new Country Manager has accumulated a significant experience working for multi-national companies within the pharmaceutical industry. LafargeHolcim stakes $2m on construction competition http://guardian.ng/business-services/lafargeholcim-stakes-2m-on-construction-competition/ 11/02/2016 To tackle challenges bordering on increasing urbanisation and need to improve quality of life, Lafarge Africa Plc, has unveiled a $2-million sustainable construction competition to provide smart solutions for cities and the environment. Indeed, the firm is set to mobilise professionals in Nigeria’s construction sector and students to participate in the 5th International LafargeHolcim awards. The LafargeHolcim awards is a significant global competition in sustainable design which request leading projects of professionals as well as bold ideas from the Next Generation that combine sustainable construction solutions with architectural excellence. Beloxxi Industries Limited Closes $80m Equity Investment Deal http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/08/15/beloxxi-industries-limited-closes-80m-equity-investment-deal/ 15/02/2016 In an ambitious expansion bid, Beloxxi Industries Limited has closed a whopping $80million equity investment deal with a consortium of international private equity firms and German Development Bank (KFW-DEG). According to a statement by the company’s President/CEO, Obi Ezeude, the minority equity sales deal was consummated on August 1, 2016 with all the funds fully disbursed. Unveiling 8 Miles (London), African Capital Alliance (ACA) (Nigeria) and KFW DEG Bank, Germany as the faces behind the international consortium acquiring the minority equity for five years, Ezeude said the transaction came on stream after six months of intense due diligence and legal negotiations that was concluded on July 1, 2016. Withdrawal of cement tax incentive worries manufacturers http://punchng.com/withdrawal-cement-tax-incentive-worries-manufacturers/ 12/02/2016 Operators in the real sector of the economy have expressed worry over the withdrawal of pioneer status tax incentive enjoyed by the cement industry adding that the development will send a wrong signal to investors. The President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Frank Jacobs, who raised the issue at a recent stakeholders’ meeting with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, said, “The news of government withdrawing the pioneer status tax incentive enjoyed by the cement industry is not only disturbing but also amounts to government shooting itself in the foot as it would send a bad signal to both current and prospective investors of local and foreign origins.”