Okocha throws 40th birthday party for wife, gives her G-Wagon as present

Nigerian football legend Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha, threw a lavish 40th birthday party for his wife of 16 years, Nkechi Okocha on Friday October 25th at Civic Centre in Lagos. Maestromedia reports that Okocha gave his wife a brand new White Mercedez Benz G-Wagon SUV as birthday present. Nkechi was said to have gone down on her knees to thank her husband for all his love and support in front of the party guests. Happy belated birthday to her

How to run your business with limited finance

October 31, 2013 by Ademola Alawiye Leave a Comment

   

Not all entrepreneurs have access to huge capital, however, the key to success is to do more with less. ADEMOLA ALAWIYE writes on how to manage your business with limited finance

Learning to live comfortably on a limited budget and income means taking control of your money. When you have minimal money coming in, the rules of budgeting change. The line between needs and wants is clear, as you have less to spend each month on unnecessary purchases.

For some individuals, money is the most difficult thing to obtain when starting a business, but it remains the most important asset in any venture, experts say. Unpaid bills, failure to pay employees’ salaries, unpaid taxes and rents, and other unmet financial obligations can put an entrepreneur out of business.

They note that one biggest challenge confronting most entrepreneurs is the ability to adequately separate their personal and business finances. The Managing Director, Adax Computer Services, Mr. Adekunle Animashaun, says some young entrepreneurs are not disciplined enough in terms of managing finances. He notes that entrepreneurs should see the finances of the business as belonging to the company, adding that this will help to curtail unnecessary spending.

Experts advise young entrepreneurs to learn how to master money management in order not to run their businesses aground. According to them, knowledge, patience and the fear of failing may do it for the entrepreneur. They say proper management of money will encourage saving and this will inevitably lead to business success. By saving, the entrepreneur can invest twice the amount of his capital. Below are some money management tips for entrepreneurs of budding businesses, according to experts:

Borrow office space if possible

For a young entrepreneur starting up a new business that requires an office space, experts advise that you should not consider buying the office space at first. The entrepreneur should make inquiries for free available space from friends, family relatives and colleagues. He should continue with this until he is able to make tangible earnings from the business. This, experts say, will not just save the entrepreneur some money; it will also boost his business experience.

For individuals who could not get a free space to run their business, it is advisable to settle for affordable outlets at strategic locations. The entrepreneur should not rush to acquire fancy furniture, but should apply wisdom when making purchases for his office. However, experts say this is an exception. Entrepreneurs whose businesses attract regular visits by clients should try and get a space or should look out for a neighbouring outlet to host their customers.

Trim down lodging/flight cost

When on official assignments, the young entrepreneur should try as much as possible to reduce the cost of lodging in hotels. During such periods, he can put up with a friend or family relative in that area instead of lodging in a luxury hotel. To efficiently manage his resources, he should look for cheap hotels if there is no familiar person who lives around the area. The entrepreneur should book online tickets, as most of them are cheaper than tickets booked on the ticketing and reservation stands of airlines. For distances that can be covered going by road, he must not hesitate to travel by land. All this is to cut cost and manage your capital efficiently, experts say.

Cut down power cost

One good way to reduce cost of power is to ensure that you keep a continuous check on all appliances in your office. Animashaun says switching off all appliances that are not meeting any desired demand at any particular time will reduce electricity cost. Young entrepreneurs must make sure they switch off fans, air conditioners, light, refrigerators and computers whenever they are not in use.

Experts say entrepreneurs tend not to realise that printers consume more power. They note that having a printer is usually very costly. According to them, the entrepreneur can print on both sides of a paper whenever this is possible and should use affordable and good papers as well as printer cartridges in a bid to cut down printing cost.

Rent out unused items

“For items not in use, do not hesitate to rent them out,” Animashaun says. Experts note that items like coffee maker, photocopier, air conditioner, unused refrigerators and computers can be rented out or sold outright. Extra office space can be rented out also to earn more funds for your business, they say.

They advise that the entrepreneur cuts down stationary cost. According to experts, young entrepreneurs must not spend on items that can be made available free of cost. Some of such items include stationary articles like pen, paper, notepad, etc. These items, they say, are often given out for free by many hotels and sponsors. By following these tips adequately, the entrepreneur will be able to manage his fund better.

Negotiate thoroughly before payments

Experts advise that the entrepreneur should develop his negotiating skills. He should negotiate with every vendor that comes across his business. Animashaun says even if he is able to save five to six per cent, it’s a good start.

Draft and stick to your budget

The entrepreneur must be able to draft a budget. He should also stick to this budget. “This is, of course, another money management measure that is very vital for the success of any business,” he adds.

Forbes: Obama only 2nd most powerful (behind Putin)

David Jackson, USA TODAY 3 p.m. EDT October 30, 2013

(Photo: Alexander Nemenov, AFP/Getty Images)

President Obama has fallen to second place in Forbes magazine's annual list of the world's most powerful people — trailing Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Forbes began its analysis with the question "who's more powerful: the autocratic leader of a former superpower or the handcuffed commander in chief of the most dominant country in the world?"
The magazine went with Putin, who finished second in last year's poll behind Obama.
Writes Forbes:
"Putin has solidified his control over Russia while Obama's lame duck period has seemingly set in earlier than usual for a two-term president — latest example: the government shutdown mess. Anyone watching this year's chess match over Syria and NSA leaks has a clear idea of the shifting individual power dynamics."
It's only the second time in his presidency that Obama has not topped the Forbes power poll.
Obama finished second in 2010 to China's then-president Hu Jintao. The current Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, finished third in the latest survey.
A newcomer — Pope Francis — finished fourth.
In fifth place: German Chancellor Angela Merkel, an outspoken critic of National Security Council surveillance policies in other countries.

Nigeria: World Bank Ranks Nigeria 122nd Best Place for Business

By Uduma Kalu, 30 October 2013

T

 

The World Bank has ranked Nigeria 147th among the best places for doing business. It also ranked the country as the 122nd for best countries to start a business.

The report released, yesterday, said Nigeria's low ranking is mainly caused by electricity problems, where the country is ranked 185th out of 189 countries evaluated. The first African country on the list is Rwanda, ranked 32nd.
The report said in Africa, 66 per cent of countries enacted at least one reform last year, against 33 per cent in 2005, adding that nine African countries make up the top 20 most improved in terms of business regulations since 2009: Benin, Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
The report said economies are ranked on their ease of doing business, from 1 - 189. A high ranking on the ease of doing business index means the regulatory environment is more conducive to the starting and operation of a local firm.
This index averages the country's percentile rankings on 10 topics, made up of a variety of indicators, giving equal weight to each topic. The rankings for all economies are bench-marked to June 2013

Nigerians Top Forbes’ African Person Of The Year Shortlist

Nigerians have dominated Forbes Africa Person of the Year shortlist, the US base business website has announced.

In its Forbes Africa page, Forbes announced it had narrowed down its shortlist, dominated by Nigerians, for the 2013 Person of the Year Awards. The awards will take place in Nairobi, Kenya at the beginning of December this year.

An official voting is also open to the public who can make their selection of the individual they deem most worthy of the Person of the Year title.

The Person of the Year Awards celebrate ‘the individual who, for better or worse, has had the most influence on events of the year gone by’ and Forbes Africa has welcomed the participation of the public in what is fast becoming one of the most momentous and anticipated annual events in Africa.

“Every year, we are excited to decide the Forbes Africa Person of the Year. We want to honour the big hitters of the continent who are making a difference in people’s lives and we hope that in doing so, it will inspire others,” commented Chris Bishop, the managing editor of Forbes Africa magazine.

The shortlist, comprising three Nigerians, one South African and one Zimbabwean, is as follows:

*South African mining magnate, Patrice Motsepe, plans on giving away more than half his fortune over the next five years.

* Akinwunmi Adesina is Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and his vision is to make Nigeria a self-sustaining, food-producing nation and register 20 million farmers by 2015.

* Aliko Dangote is Africa’s richest man and his net worth has significantly increased on the back of his continued business success, allowing him to better the lives of millions.

* Strive Masiyiwa is the founder of global telecoms group, Econet Wireless, and through Capernaum Trust he educates tens of thousands of Zimbabwean orphans.

*Jim Ovia established Zenith Bank Group in 1990 – now West Africa’s second largest financial services provider. His focus has turned to helping grow Africa’s budding ‘techpreneurs’.

World's Tallest Man Gets Married

    CRIENGLISH.com      Web Editor: Lu

The world's tallest man Sultan Kosen and his wife Merve Dibo. [Photo: CFP]
Turkey's Sultan Kosen, who, at 2.51m (eight foot three) holds the Guinness World Record for the world's tallest man, was wed to the woman of his dreams, who measures 173cms tall, in Merve Dibo on Oct. 27th, 2013 according to the Daily Mail.
Kosen had continually searched for a suitable girl his own size, and met Dibo after almost giving up. "How unfortunate that I could not find a suitable girl my own size. My fiancee is under 1.75 meters tall, but I believe I've found the person for me," Kosen said.

In addition to his height, Kosen also entered the Guinness Book of World Records due to the size of his hands and feet; his black groom's suit and shoes were custom-made. He invited some politicians and celebrities to attend his wedding in the southern Turkish city of Mardin. Kosen said he hopes to own a large car and take his wife on a trip.
Kosen is one of ten people in the world with a height of over 2.44m, but the only one recorded in the past decade. In August 2009 Kosen took the Guinness World Record for the world's tallest man when he surpassed the previous record holder, China's Bao Xishun who held the lofty title with a height of 2.36m. His extreme height comes from a disorder called pituitary gigantism, a rare condition that causes the body to continually produce the growth hormone. Last year, Kosen overcame acromegaly and stopped growing.

You can reduce your risk of breast cancer

October 29, 2013 by Solaade Ayo-Aderele 

   

October has been designated as the Pink Month in a global effort to draw attention to issues relating to breast cancer. The ultimate goal is to educate everyone about the disease and, consequently, reduce to the barest minimum the incident of breast cancer.

Oncologists say breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, representing 16 per cent of all female cancers. Again, scientific studies have found that women have a 12 per cent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, though individual risks may be higher or lower than that. “Individual risk is affected by many different factors, such as family history, reproductive history, lifestyle, environment, and others,” researchers say.

For instance, in terms of unhealthy lifestyle, research has shown that taking two alcoholic drinks a day could increase breast cancer risk by 21 percent. However, most people who develop breast cancer may be teetotalers.

The World Health Organisation Global Burden of Disease estimates that 519,000 women died in 2004 alone due to breast cancer, with the majority (69 per cent) of all breast cancer deaths occurring in developing countries such as Nigeria.

Why cancer kills

Ordinarily, experts say, being diagnosed with breast cancer does not necessarily mean that you’ve been handed a death sentence. But that only means your symptoms are diagnosed at the earliest stage and tackled headlong.

Experts say though the developed world has achieved great strides in reducing the incident of breast cancer and the associated death rates, less developed countries such ours have continued to record low survival rates — a situation that can be attributed mainly to the lack of early detection programmes.

According to the Head of Oncology Unit, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Prof. Remi Ajekigbe, Nigeria records high death rate from breast cancer mainly because a high proportion of women present with late-stage disease.

Until recently, most tertiary centres in Nigeria lack adequate diagnosis and treatment facilities, a situation that also contributed hugely to the mortality rate among women with the disease.

Symptoms

The online portal, breastcancer.org, notes that, initially, breast cancer may not cause any symptoms. It states that you may not even feel or notice a small lump; or, where it is present, the lump may be too small to cause any unusual changes that you can notice on your own.

Usually, physicians say, it’s only when you do a mammogram (X-ray of the breast) that the machine picks an abnormal area, following which the doctor will recommend further testing.

The American Cancer Society proffers that in some cases, the first sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass in the breast that you or your doctor can feel.

“A lump that is painless, hard, and has uneven edges is more likely to be cancer,” Ajekigbe warns. He adds, “But sometimes, cancers can be tender, soft, and rounded. So it’s important to have anything unusual checked by your doctor.”

The oncologist advises all women to have a clinical breast exam at least every three years; and annual exams and mammograms starting at age 40. “Women with a family history of breast cancer should begin screening 10 years prior to the family member’s age of diagnosis,” Ajekigbe adds.

The American Cancer Society says any of the following unusual changes in the breast can be a symptom of breast cancer:

•         Swelling of all or part of the breast

•         Skin irritation or dimpling

•         Breast pain

•         Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward

•         Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or                        breast skin

•         A nipple discharge other than breast milk

•         A lump in the underarm area

Of course, physicians say, these changes can also be signs of less serious conditions that are not cancerous, such as an infection or a cyst. But, in order to be sure, it’s important to get any breast changes checked out promptly by a doctor, experts advise.

Improving survival rate

At the launch of a new set of cancer diagnosing machines — Ventana Benchmark GX — donated by Roche Pharma, Nigeria, to LUTH last week, the Country Manager, Mr. Charles Forjour, says using the Benchmark GX will help physicians to differentiate the type of breast cancer an individual has, as well as enabling oncologists to determine the best medication a particular patient will benefit from.

The Head of Department of Pathology Unit of LUTH, Prof. Abdulkareem Fatimah, said, “With this machine, you eliminate trial and error, as well as the long period of waiting for manual test. “As for the patients, it saves them the stress of paying for ticket, hotel bills, visa fees and the high cost of seeing a foreign oncologist or oncology surgeon.”

The hospital’s Medical Director, Prof. Akin Osibogun, noted that when the machine becomes operational, breast cancer diagnosis and treatment will be based on clinical evidence, which will ultimately lead to increased survival among patients.

“It will improve the quality of test and immunohistochemistry report by the pathologist; and at the same time, enhance local research in cancers, which will ultimately help in gathering local data for clinical and policy decisions,” Osibogun said.

CBN Moves to Protect Bank Customers

29 Oct 2013

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 CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

•Insists cashless policy will drive financial inclusion

By Ernest Chinwo   and Nwanneka Ezemelue  

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monday commenced an enlightenment campaign for consumers of banking services in Rivers State.

The move was part of the central bank’s drive to enhance banking and consumer relations in the country.

Addressing a press conference in Port Harcourt, the Deputy Director and Head, Consumer Education of the Consumer Protection Department (CPD), CBN, Hajia Khadijah Kasim, explained the central bank decided to embark on the exercise with the aim of protecting the consumer.

Kasim also noted the reforms embarked upon by the CBN in the last few years were aimed at giving maximum satisfaction to bank customers.
She said the CBN was concerned about building confidence and trust in consumers of banking services so as to enhance their financial well-being.

Kasim said: “The CBN is putting a lot of structures in place to ensure that consumers get maximum benefit from financial services provisioning, which will ultimately result in not only enabling people take charge of their financial well-being, but also enhance economic development. It is important, however, that the consumers are given reasons to trust the system and therefore be confident in dealing with financial services providers.

“This can be achieved through intensive consumer enlightenment activities. We must increase awareness and understanding of financial products and services, enhance efficient usage of financial resources and empower Nigerians with requisite knowledge to make informed choices and take effective actions that will enhanced their financial well-being.

“By so doing, we are able to empower them with the confidence to participate in the formal financial system. It is only when the vast majority of the Nigerian population is financially literate that they can come on board the formal financial system, thereby contributing to financial stability.”
She disclosed the CBN would be meeting with various stakeholders in Rivers State as part of the enlightenment exercise.

Meanwhile, the CBN has reiterated the cashless policy would support the country’s Vision 20:2020.
The central bank also has said the initiative, which is aimed at reducing the dominance of cash in the system would promote electronic payment.

The CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said this in a keynote address delivered at an e-business fair organised by Connect Nigeria tagged: “e-Business and the growth of your Enterprise,” held in Lagos recently.

The CBN governor was represented by the Deputy Director of CBN, Mr. Olusuyi Adaramewa.
According to Sanusi, the development of e-payment system in Nigeria would also enhance financial inclusion and bring about efficiency in the payment services.

“CBN issued a new policy guideline on cash-based transactions stipulating a cash handling charge on daily cash withdrawals or cash deposits that exceed N500, 000 for Individuals and N3, 000,000 for corporate organisations.

“The cashless policy is aimed at curbing or eliminating some of the negative consequences associated with the high usage of physical cash in the economy,” he said.
He disclosed the CBN, in collaboration with some stakeholders, had put in place other measures such as the licensing of Payments Terminal Service Providers (PTSP); and the Payment Terminal Service Aggregator (PTSA), for the smooth implementation of the policy.

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Glo launches Vigicom for vigilante groups

By Press Release

October 28, 2013 21:55:17pm GMT

glo

Globacom has launched a new communication package that will assist members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) to effectively perform their work by freely communicating with each other while on duty.

Specially conceived to support vigilante groups across the country, the package, called Vigicom, will in addition also allow members of vigilante groups to communicate with their families at no cost.

Speaking at the launch of the product in Abuja over the weekend, Commander General of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Alhaji Ali Sokoto said Vigicom will help in effective local policing of remote areas and also assist in gathering necessary intelligence about criminals. He endorsed the Vigicom product and thanked Globacom for coming out with such a wonderful service.

Explaining why Globacom introduced Vigicom, the company's Head of Public Sector, Mr. Tunde Amunikoro said, "communication is key to security and that was why Glo launched the package to assist local vigilante groups to become more effective in discharging their duties."

 “The essence of Vigicom therefore is to enable security men to send or receive alerts and reach out to critical stakeholders, particularly in distress, without being encumbered by the non-availability of recharge cards even in the remotest part of the country," he said.

"Take for instance armed security men deployed on the highway from Mokwa to Bida to secure travellers against robbers. How would they be able to communicate with each other as well as their headquarters and families in case of emergencies without having to recharge; considering that recharge cards are not in the remote highways?? With Vigicom, that challenge is over," Amunikoro said.?

According to him, all the vigilante members need to do is just pay a monthly rental of N1,000 and  communicate with other members of the group and their families who have the special lines for free, throughout the month without incurring extra cost of airtime.

In his remarks, the Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Adamu Usman gave Glo and the vigilante groups thumps up, saying the groups were capable of securing Nigeria, especially with private sector collaboration like the one with Glo.

Dangote now among top 10 most valuable brands in Africa

By Press Release

October 28, 2013 21:17:47pm GMT

Dangote

As a measure of its growing influence in the continent, Dangote Group has emerged among Africa’s top 10 most valuable brands in 2013 in a survey conducted by African Business Magazine, a pan-African business magazine.

In a survey tagged ‘The Brand Africa 100 table’, Dangote emerged as the most valuable brand in the consumer goods sector with an African brand value of 216.  However, the brand emerged the 8th most valuable brand when placed against brands from other sectors.

 “The Brand Africa 100” table was established in 2011, in recognition of the growth of  African brands, which were beginning to challenge global brands in Africa or lead global brands in new categories such as telecommunications.

Commenting on the recognition of Dangote brand, the magazine stated that: “…But what is perhaps a little more suprising is that Dangote, the largest manufacturing conglomerate in West Africa, and Globacom, the Nigeria-based telecommunication provider, are also in the lists. Both brands have managed to win the hrarts of the communities in which they operate.”

Declaring brands as an asset, the magazine stated that the aim of Brand Africa 100 is to identify, acknowledge and promote African and global brands that are catalysts for Africa’s growth, reputation and value.

Explaining its method at arriving at the brands’ ranking said “the study involved a comprehensive research among consumers 18 years and older, living in representative countries in metropolitan sub-Saharan Africa regions to draw up a list of the most admired African and global brands in Africa.   Each respondent was asked to mention the five local and global brands they admired.

Dangote’s emergence did not come as a surprise to industry watchers. The brand has steadily increased its influence in many African nations through establishment of cement factories. It operates in about 13 African nations making one of the most visible, recognized and admired brands.