3 Essential Elements of a Protein-Centred National Nutrition Policy

03/01/2021

By Veronica Eneh Ejembi

Nutrition, whether at the individual, domestic or national level, is an essential part of health and development that cannot be overemphasized. Achieving optimal nutrition is critical to any nation. This is particularly true for the nutritionally vulnerable (pregnant women and their unborn children, elderly, children under five, immune-compromised individuals and people living with chronic illnesses).
A country’s health index can be used to predict its economic potential and development projection. Since it has been established that the health status of a country is important, there is the need to have a nutrition policy in place to enable it tackle emergent health issues.
A policy is a statement of intent proposed by an organisation or an individual to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. Policies are necessary tools for addressing issues and one of such policies that are essential is a nutritional policy.
A nutritional policy is an agreed statement by an authoritative body (usually the government) of its intent to act to maintain or alter the food supply, nutritional status or some indicator in the society. Often, nutritional policies are created and implemented as planning tools to ensure population health optimisation, or created as a response to a population health need.
No doubt, implementing a protein-centred nutrition policy will help influence people’s attitude towards consuming protein-rich foods and limit illnesses associated with protein deficiency. Besides, a nutritional policy will help change certain cultural behaviours like giving the head of a household a large portion of available protein foods, considering protein a ‘luxury food’ and not prioritising protein in one’s diet.
Globally, national nutrition policies have had a positive impact on health. For example, the wheat flour fortification programme in Jordan where the staple flour is fortified with iron and folic acid then later with zinc, niacin and vitamins A and B.
The United States of America also had a programme to influence the increase in consumption of dairy. In Nigeria, iodine deficiency was also combated by increasing the public’s education of the benefits of iodine in diet. These examples show that having a protein-centred national nutrition policy may indeed be the way to go in tackling protein deficiency in Nigeria.
To develop and implement a protein-centred nutrition policy in Nigeria, certain frameworks should be in place. These guidelines were discussed by medical experts and nutritionists at the recently held Protein Challenge Webinar Series 6 themed ‘The Case for a Protein-Centred National Nutrition Policy.’

Here are three pillars that should be a part of such a policy:

Education About Protein Benefits
A lot of people lack the necessary information about the benefits of protein and this has hampered its consumption. Education about protein should not be restricted to classrooms and in theory only. Head of households, key nutrition decision makers and homemakers should be educated at community centres, primary health centres and religious places on the benefits of including protein in the family diets. The woman functions as a gatekeeper in the home and educating her on the need for protein-rich foods and the risks associated with not eating enough protein will help influence the consumption of proteins in the home.

Availability of Protein-rich Foods
Protein-rich foods need to be prioritised and made available for consumption. This can be achieved if agricultural and food production policies support farmers by providing them with fertilizers, transportation, storage and processing facilities. Initiatives like these will encourage more farmers to plant and produce more protein-rich plants and rear animal proteins that are affordable for people to purchase and consume.

Affordability of Protein Food Sources
Most people tend to ignore protein foods because of the assumption that they are expensive. In a way, most animal proteins are pricey. It is therefore imperative to ensure constant availability of protein-rich foods as this will drive down cost and take care of price. Besides, the government can introduce subsidies to make certain protein foods affordable to a point where every household can afford to consume protein at every meal.
Nutritional policies, when implemented effectively have shown that there is a positive shift in the direction aimed for. This proves that creating and implementing a protein-centred nutrition policy would be a great step towards eradicating protein deficiency in Nigeria.
This protein-centred nutrition policy needs to target education, availability and affordability of protein-rich foods. Protein deficiency will become a thing of the past in Nigeria with the effective implementation of a protein-centred national nutrition policy.

Stanbic IBTC Continues to Impact Lives via CSI Initiatives

Business Journal

03/01/2021

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, a member of Standard Bank Group, has continued to make remarkable contributions to children’s lives in communities where it operates.
As part of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative, the financial institution’s Marketing and Corporate Communications department renovated the SOS Children’s Villages, Social Centre, located at Isolo in Lagos State.
Members of the department gave the Social centre a face-lift with new wall paintings, sophisticated furniture, and donated an All-In-One computer to comfort the children in accessing the digital hub at their Ejigbo campus.
The facility is home to over 300 youths and over 2000 youths around Ejigbo will benefit from the upgraded space which includes a lounge, hub furniture and the all-in-one computer donated. SOS Children’s Villages is a non-governmental and non-denominational organisation that supports and provides for vulnerable children and young people who lack the required family care, protection and guidance.
Reiterating Stanbic IBTC’s commitment to continue making a positive impact in the society, Bridget Oyefeso-Odusami, Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, said that the organisation is keen on collaborating with reputable bodies such as the SOS Children’s Villages to foster the development of the nation’s younger generation. We believe the future is digital, and we are happy to have donated useful items to enable the youths to stay up to date with digital learning, so they remain relevant in these times.
According to her, “At Stanbic IBTC, we are passionate about the wellbeing of our future leaders. As a socially responsible organisation, one of our major duties is to improve the quality of life of the needy in our society. This is what we aim to achieve through our Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives.”
Oyefeso-Odusami praised the management of the SOS Children’s Villages for their selfless service to humanity and encouraged the children to take advantage of the provisions made available within the facility.
Expressing his gratitude to Stanbic IBTC for their thoughtfulness, Ayodeji Adelopo, Programme Director, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, said that the donations would enhance the impact that the organisation’s impact in the lives of the children.
In his words: “These children need a conducive environment to learn as well as access to emerging technology and the digital space. Stanbic IBTC has given these young ones the kind of luxury that is not available to them, and for this, we are very grateful.”
During her closing remarks, Maryam Daramola, Face-to-Face Fundraising Coordinator, SOS Children’s Villages, urged other corporate organisations, institutions, communities and governments to emulate the kind gesture of Stanbic IBTC in donating and partnering with them to make life better for the needy.
Daramola stated that since the inception of the SOS Children’s Village, the organisation has consistently worked to keep families together, provide alternative care when needed, support young people on their path to independence, and advocate for children’s rights.
The SOS Children’s Villages was founded in 1949 and is currently located in 135 countries and territories worldwide. The Nigerian arm of the organisation, established 46 years ago, has presence in Lagos, Ogun and Plateau as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Earlier on, the Lagos Island Zone of Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC also renovated Ayodele Primary School in Ajegunle, Lagos State while Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited refurbished Ijamido Children’s Home at Ota in Ogun State.
Stanbic IBTC continues to reiterate its commitment to supporting the growth of education in the country, especially through enhanced digital capabilities. This was demonstrated as the management of Estate Grammar School, Ilupeju, Oshodi, received a fully furnished digital library from the Operations Shared Services (OSS) department of Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC.
Similarly, at the Love Home Orphanage, Magodo, Lagos, the Business Transformation Programmes (BTP) department of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC donated food and other household items to orphans whose means of survival is dependent on generous donations from socially responsible corporate institutions. According to Gbenga Onabanjo, Head Business Transformation Programmes, “there is nothing more heartwarming than seeing smiles you put in the faces of those who need it the most, people who have never met you but somehow have had their lives impacted from your kind gesture. It is not something we take for granted at Stanbic IBTC.”
The foremost end-to-end financial services provider, through these interventions, has proven that it will not relent in its contribution to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

Banks are Pivotal to Success of AfCFTA – Ecobank MD

Business Journal

17/12/2020

Patrick Akinwuntan
Managing Director
Ecobank Nigeria

The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan has said the success of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will rely heavily on the financial services industry’s ability to facilitate the liberalisation process.
Akinwuntan, who made this submission at a webinar titled: Exploring Nigeria’s Readiness for the African Continental Free Trade Area organised by Deloitte, maintained that the banking industry in Nigeria is ready for the implementation of the AfCFTA, and that it will be responsible for facilitating transactions, mobilising savings, allocating capital funds and monitoring managers so that the funds allocated will be utilised as envisaged, as well as managing risks.
According to Akinwuntan, “Nigeria banks have strong capital and their operating synergies have been tremendous for the past five years particularly in the digital banking space. Nigeria is a leading player on the continent in payments required to facilitate trade; mobilisation of savings required to galvanise the economy; focus on the SME segment, which is the largest employer of labour especially in the critical industries such as Agriculture as Africa is a continent that is rich in commodities; education of our teeming population and health.”
Further, the Ecobank Managing Director said for the financial institutions to adequately play their expected roles, they would need to drive value creation by developing new technologies, scaling its payment infrastructure and methods to a pan African play to serve the diversified economies expected from the agreement.
He noted that “Africa’s financial services sector will also be relied on to provide the credit and support necessary for certain industries to move forward particularly the infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, which will be at the centre of Africa’s development goals following the AfCFTA enactment”.
“Nigerian financial service industry has the basic platform to enable African financial services to contribute significantly to the trade area. The BVN innovation in Nigeria is unique, more like the social security number in USA. NIBSS, the hub for payment systems in Nigeria is a strong base that is scalable to a pan African payment network. In terms of continental expansion, we are beginning to increased interest in Pan African banks. Ecobank with strong Nigeria content is a lead player in this space, with presence in over 33 countries in Africa, he stated.
Earlier, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo said the Nigerian government was irrevocably committed to the success of the AfCTA. According to him, the AfCFTA complements Nigeria’s export diversification aspiration as it provides preferential market access for Nigerian products and services in the vast African market.
“For Nigeria, the gains are significant. The AfCFTA would expand market access for Nigeria’s exporters of goods and services, spur growth and boost job creation, eliminate barriers against Nigeria’s products, provide a Dispute Settlement Mechanism for stopping the hostile and discriminatory treatment directed against Nigerian, safeguard the Nigerian economy from dumping and unfair trade practices and support the industrial policy, among others among others.”
In his welcome address, Delloite CEO, West Africa, Fatai Folarin, said his organisation decided to organise the webinar to create awareness on the attendant benefits inherent in AfCTA. He explained the trade agreement aims to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business, persons and investments within the African region.
The AfCFTA due to commence in January 2021, will pave the way for a rapid dismantling of such impediments to cross-border trade. Alongside the removal of tariff barriers, the AfCFTA will also focus attention on outstanding nontariff barriers (NTBs), an important step toward increased trade in the region.
The AfCFTA aims to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments, and thus pave the way for accelerating the establishment of the Customs Union.
It will bring together all 55 AU member states covering a market of more than 1.2 billion people. In terms of numbers of participating countries, it is set to be the world’s largest free trade area since the formation of the World Trade Organisation.

Soybean: The ‘Miracle Bean’ Against Protein Deficiency

Business Journal

17/12/2020

By Veronica Ejembi
Protein deficiency is at an all-time high in Nigeria. If you think this health issue is exaggerated, then you need to take a look at the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2018 NDHS) to understand how worrisome this matter has become. The Nigeria Protein Deficiency Report 2019 was equally sobering.
Protein is very important for productivity, growth and development. Simply put, without protein, nothing works and for individuals to be healthy, the inclusion of protein in the diets is paramount.
Protein is needed not only at the beginning of life but also at different stages of life. The amount of protein required by various individuals depends on age, gender, and physiological conditions such as growth, pregnancy, and lactation. Protein consumption must be taken seriously by all age groups.
Protein consumption in Nigeria is determined by various factors such as availability, affordability, taste, nutritional value, culture, and fondness for certain protein-rich foods. For us to overcome the menace of protein deficiency, there is a need to address the above factors to help boost the consumption of protein-rich foods.
In the quest to find a lasting solution, soybean has been tipped as the ‘Miracle Bean’ capable of tackling protein deficiency. Soybeans are also known as ‘meat without bones’ and have been recognised as plant food that is relatively high in protein compared with other plants and even some animals.
The protein in soybeans is of good quality, supports growth in children and contains high functional properties like lecithin and sadonins. Also, soybeans contain essential amino acids that are beneficial to the body and should be combined with all the food groups that make up a balanced diet.
The importance of soybeans in the war against protein deficiency has not gone unnoticed. In the recent Protein Challenge Webinar themed Nigeria’s Protein Deficiency Challenge: Soybeans to the Rescue, nutrition experts convened to discuss how soybeans can be incorporated not only into meals but also the way of life of Nigerians. Find highlights from the session below:

• Nutrition Education on Benefits of Soybeans
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has endorsed soybean as an ingredient in complementary food, due to its ability to provide a single-source availability of adequate levels of essential amino acids of high biological value.
When soybean is combined with other foods like whole grains, milk and eggs it helps children grow taller naturally. They can also be added to cereals to improve the protein content and supply essential nutrients for the body to stay healthy. The benefits of soybeans are not restricted to children alone. In adults, soybean meals can improve immunity and quality of life.
Soybeans are versatile. There should be community nutrition education on the benefits of soybean consumption. In many instances, it would require collaboration between the private and the public sectors. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have to be actively involved in educating Nigerians not just on the ills of protein deficiency but also the different ways and benefits of using soybeans to combat protein deficiency.
Women, especially, should be empowered, through education, with the nutritional and health benefits of soybeans. They should be taught how best to introduce this ‘Miracle Bean’ creatively in meal planning in their homes.

• Increase Acceptability of Soybeans
People do not go to the market to buy protein, minerals or vitamins, but food. Food is not just about nutrients; it is about cultural acceptability. In Nigeria, the food sources that are frequently eaten are not necessarily the healthiest. It is usually socially acceptable and available.
Soybeans are a protein-rich food source. It is locally available. It now needs to be repackaged to become acceptable. Also, there is the need to rebrand soybean as a product that is not just for the poor but for everyone, particularly for the health-conscious.
Soybeans should be made readily available. To achieve this, production should be increased to match demand. Besides, to ensure that it catches on fast, there should be a policy for feed millers to incorporate soy flour into wheat flour production. Bakers and confectionary firms can equally add soy flour at the point of production to promote acceptability and improve the nutrient value of the products.

• Explore Soy Products
There are varieties of soybean products that can be utilised in our diets. Products such as soy milk, soy sauce, tofu, soybean oil, soy flour, soy cake, soy nut butter, and soy-based infant formula, among others, should be adequately explored in the fight against protein deficiency.
Every one of these soy products screams protein. Protein is needed to build protection against infections, boost the immune system and serve as a good source of energy.
It is time for Nigerians to be soy-centred. To start, every one of us should keep soy flour in our kitchens and incorporate soy products into meals. Soybean is the key to defeating protein deficiency. It is healthy, protein-rich, readily available and easily accessible.
Don’t snooze on this ‘golden legume’.

‘How Soybeans Will Reduce Malnutrition in Nigeria’

Business Journal

16/12/2020

Professor Ibiyemi Olayiwola, a nutritionist, says soybean has the required protein nutrients to reduce the challenge of protein deficiency and malnutrition in Nigeria.
Speaking during a soybean webinar titled: Nigeria Protein Deficiency-Soybean to the Rescue, Olayiwola maintained that proteins are essential for growth, body building, repairs, and replacement of lost tissues. Additionally, proteins also protect against infections, boost the immune system, support metabolism, as well as provide a source of energy.
She lamented that protein deficiency has led to a number of diseases among vulnerable groups such as wasting, stunting and underweight.
The don described soybeans as globally important and economical crops which are useful as food for human consumption (soy sauce, soy milk, tofu, soy meal, soy flour, texture vegetable protein, tempeh, soy lecithin and soybean oil) and as flour: Used in bread making. Soy Lecithin can be added to make lecithinated soy flour.
“Soy flour contains higher protein (50%), thiamine, riboflavin, phosphorus, calcium, and iron than wheat flour.”
She listed other uses of soybean as meat and dairy alternatives and extenders: (soy milk, margarine, soy ice cream, soy yogurt, soy cheese, and soy cream cheese), livestock consumption (Widely used in the form of soybean meal, It provides about 60% of the protein fed to livestock, Predominantly rich in omega-6-fatty acid, Poultry, pork, cattle, other farm animals and pets, Soybean leaves and stems can be grazed, ensiled or dried to make a hay, Its foliage is nutritive and digestible for cattles (Protein boost for beef) and in aquaculture: High protein soymeal are mainly found in fish foods.
In terms of economic Value, Olayiwola said soybean has high value and profitable (accounts for 60% of the world vegetable and animal meals output) just as Soy products are found in commercial sold carpets while candles made from soybean oil burn longer with less smoke.
‘In Agriculture, soybean is planted for its quality, innovation, sustainability and agronomic value.’
The nutritionist was emphatic that Nigeria could end hunger and malnutrition in the country by utilizing the nutritional values of soybeans.
“Soybean is a good source of vitamins, and minerals, and is also rich in fiber and high-quality oil. Soy oil is 85% unsaturated and cholesterol-free with tremendous nutritional benefit to all age groups (children, adolescents, adults, elderly, sick people, IDPs internally displaced people , those who are hungry and undernourished , stunted, wasted.”
In conclusion, she warned that we must act now to address the problem of protein deficiency and malnutrition before it gets out of hand.
“Time to act is now with the consumption of soymeal and other cheaper protein sources in Nigeria.
This can rescue protein deficiency of children, mothers, pregnant and lactating women.
Soybeans meal can improve and increase life of adults who are at risk of protein deficiency due to various ailments and NCDs. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has endorsed soybean as ingredient in complimentary food, due to its ability to provide a single-source availability of adequate levels of essential amino acids, of high biological value.”
She made three recommendations on the way forward:
• Considering the importance of protein for healthy living, there is a need for adequate consumption at different stages of the life.
• Protein requirements differ depending on age, sex, and physiological condition such as growth, pregnancy, and lactation (FAO/WHO); thus protein intake must be taken seriously by all age groups.
• Nutrition experts agreed on RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) of at least 0.8g/kg body weight/day that safely and adequately meets the protein need of most healthy persons.

Verve Goodlife Promo: Santa’s Last-Minute Treat

Business Journal

14/12/2020

We know you have been dreaming of Christmas, just like the ones you are used to. However, this time Christmas has a zing to it, Christmas is coming ‘Blue’.
This year, it is the Verve Goodlife Christmas!
As we draw closer to that exciting time of the year, everyone is set to bask in the holiday mood. We deserve it because the year 2020 has been a myriad of challenging events. The vibes of merriment have taken over the internet and marketers have kicked-off their festive offers with discounts, gifts, and many other exciting giveaways.
You probably missed out on the Black Friday opportunities, but no blames,we understand that this year has been quite challenging and there isn’t so much disposable cash, interestingly, that should not stop you from enjoying the good life. Which is why we would like to ask an important question; IF WE WERE TO UNVEIL SANTA’S LAST-MINUTE GOODY BAG, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’D FIND?
Your response may vary from ornaments to phones, perhaps life kits for navigating year 2021 as the year 2020 comes to an end! To answer our question, we are happy to inform you that
Verve, Africa’s leading card payment scheme is rounding off its three-month long promo with a bang! The sum of Two (2) Million Naira for two people!
As you know this season is a time to spread love and joy, as such, Verve has decided to spread a massive dose of love by making sure you get a slice of the good life this Christmas. A little bird told us there are as much as 452 goody bags to go round Verve cardholders.
The Verve Good Life Promo was launched on September 1, 2020, and so far, the brand has rewarded over 2,000 loyal Verve cardholders with cash gifts and airtime.
The objective of the promo is to reiterate the brand’s commitment to reward Verve cardholders for their loyalty and enable Verve’s loyal cardholders to live the good life, whatever the good life means to them.The promo was however extended for two weeks to ensure that more Verve cardholder get a feel of the good life Christmas.
The three-month long promo is drawing to a close and what better way to close it than with a bang! Yes, your big bang!
Two lucky cardholders will stand the chance to win the grand prize of One Million Naira each. In addition, 50 other cardholders will win N50, 000 each and another batch of 400 cardholders will win N10, 000 cash and N5, 000 worth of airtime.

Here is how you can qualify for Santa’s last-minute goody bag
To qualify for the grand draw for the N1, 000,000 cash prize, you are encouraged as a Verve cardholder to transact with the Verve card every day! Transact with your card at least 36 times. The more you transact, the higher your chances of winning.
As a new cardholder, you can also win. All you need do is get your Verve card and transact with it immediately, a minimum of 36 transactions between now and December 13, 2020.
This Christmas is about to be lit, take advantage of the promo to enjoy your Santa goody bag, we’ve got not one but more in store for you.
For the N50, 000 prize, use your card for a minimum of 12 transactions across POS terminals, ATM, Web and agent kiosks. between now and the closing date. Cardholders who have successfully completed up to three transactions, stand the chance to win N10, 000 cash prizes or N5,000 worth of airtime.
And if you don’t have a Verve card, ask your bank for one today and start transacting and you will be enjoying the good life with Verve this Christmas!
Have a very Blue Christmas!

Stanbic IBTC Graduates 2nd Batch of Digital Trainees

Business Journal

14/12/2020

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, a member of Standard Bank Group, has held its second digital graduation ceremony to celebrate the stream 18 Stanbic IBTC Graduate Trainees.The event held virtually.
The Group had launched its maiden edition of the Digital Talent Acquisition Programme (DigiTAP 1) known as DigiTAPpers earlier in the year.
Dr. Demola Sogunle, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, congratulated the trainees and expressed his satisfaction with the successful completion of the programme. He said, “We are ushering our graduate trainees into the world of emerging technologies. Seasoned subject experts in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Data, Cloud and Blockchain Technology have interacted with the trainees for optimum results. Stanbic IBTC is a digital financial services organisation; the future of work is digital, and Stanbic IBTC is prepared for this future.”
Sogunle commended their hard work, creative minds and tenacity. He said this year’s programme attracted unique digitally savvy candidates and their digital mastery would help position them to drive a digitalised future.
In addition to the six weeks of intensive knowledge-driven training, the trainees underwent a two-week digital masterclass and digital immersion sessions to prepare them for the workforce adequately.
Funke Amobi, Country Head, Human Capital, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, in a speech at the event, said, “We are delighted to lead you into a new world. Your level of intelligence has been amazing to see during this training period. I am certain that your inclusion to the team will be of great advantage in delivering world-class financial services.”
Amobi advised the DigiTAPpers to keep honing their intellectual capabilities and be ready to take responsibilities as they joined the Stanbic IBTC team. She reiterated that upholding the Group’s values, vision, and mission was paramount as they became part of the team.
The trainees were taken through a six-week virtual classroom training in basic banking courses, both theory and practical. They will be commencing their on-the-job exposure by job shadowing team members that drive the organisation’s digital transformation journey.

Emirates Unveils Biofuel-powered, Environmentally-friendly A380s

Business Journal

14/12/2020

Emirates has welcomed MSN A6-EVL, its 116th A380 as the first of three A380s to join its fleet in 2020. The newest member of the Emirates fleet was powered by a blend of jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This is the first time the airline is using sustainable aviation fuel to power an A380. The biofuel used for the flight was produced from used cooking oil in Finland.
The aircraft arrived in Dubai at the weekend, powered by a blend of conventional jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel.
Emirates is scheduled to receive two more A380 aircraft later this month, one of which will feature its long-awaited signature Premium Economy product.
Since its entry into the Emirates fleet 12 years ago, the A380 has been the airline’s flagship and a customer favourite, captivating the imagination of travellers by providing an unmatched travel experience. Signature elements such as A380 Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa, continue to be talked about around the world.
The Emirates A380 experience remains highly sought after by customers, with many ensuring they book their travel on this aircraft to experience its spaciousness, quietness and comfort across every cabin. Emirates has recently reinstated its iconic products for customers to enjoy, balancing an elevated experience during the pandemic with measures that prioritise the health and well-being of passengers.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline said: “The A380 has been a success story for Emirates, and this is reflected in the strong customer interest wherever we’ve deployed the aircraft over the years. The A380 has helped us efficiently serve customer demand at slot constrained airports and also on trunk routes, supporting our long-haul hub operations. Importantly, with the space and technology on this aircraft, we’ve been able to introduce new concepts onboard that have transformed the flying experience for the better. The A380 will remain our flagship for the next decade, and we will re-deploy it on more routes as travel demand returns.”
The double-decker A380 is also demonstrating its versatility by being utilised as a ‘mini-freighter’ on select cargo charter operations to transport urgently required cargo across the Emirates network.
Sir Tim commented on the airline’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact: “Sustainability remains very much on our agenda at Emirates. We are watching developments in sustainable aviation fuel very closely, and we look forward to a time when it can be produced at scale, and in a cost competitive manner. Our latest A380 delivery flight was partially powered by sustainable aviation fuel and this is a positive step towards reducing our overall emissions.”
Emirates continues to support initiatives that contribute to the development of the SAF industry and wider deployment of biofuels. The airline is part of the Steering Committee of the Clean Skies for Tomorrow coalition, established by the World Economic Forum to promote the development of SAF. Emirates has also supported a series of webinars on the future of SAF in the UAE, hosted by Khalifa University. A third of Emirates’ crew transportation buses in Dubai currently are powered by biofuels, with its one of its main crew bus transport contractors, Al Wegdaniyah, adopting biofuel supplied by Neutral Fuels.
Emirates remains committed to continues to emissions reduction. In addition to operating modern and fuel efficient aircraft with an average age of 6.5 years, Emirates also has a comprehensive fuel efficiency programme that has implemented a range of initiatives including working with air navigation providers on “flex tracks”, or flexible routings that create the most efficient flight plan for each flight.
Emirates also runs a robust fuel monitoring system. On the ground, the airline implements fuel-efficient practices where possible, such as the use of power units that consume less energy, and switching one or two engines off while taxiing in after landing. Other operating initiatives include idle reverse thrust on landing, loading efficiency improvements, aircraft weight management, and the introduction of electronic flight bags for cockpit crew.

‘Tackle Malnutrition by Adding Soybeans to Staples’ – Nutrition Experts

Business Journal

14/12/2020

Nutrition experts have called for the addition of soybeans to wheat flour in the production of staples such as bread, pasta and noodles, as a way to tackle malnutrition in the country.
The experts made this call while speaking at the Protein Challenge Webinar Series 7 which held recently. The webinar was themed: “Nigeria’s Protein Deficiency Challenge: Soybeans To The Rescue.”
Mrs. Josephine Chukwunweike, a nutritionist and member of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), stated that children’s (ages 0 to 5 years) growth is usually dependent on diet and way of life, not solely on genetics. She added that protein is a vital nutrient needed for development, upkeep and repair of all the cells in the human body.
She explained that soybean is a very healthy and cheap source of protein, which should be added in the production of staples. She also urged the government to educate farmers on the appropriate methods in farming to increase the production of soybeans in the country.
According to her, “Soybeans consist of more than 36 per cent protein, 30 per cent carbohydrates, and excellent amounts of dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals. It also has 20 per cent oil, which makes it the most important crop for producing edible oil. A by-product from the oil production (soybean cake) is used as a high-protein animal feed in many countries.”She revealed that soybean can be used in the production of soymilk, soy cake, tofu and soybean oil.
Another panelist, Mr Charles Nkwoala, a community nutritionist with specialty in Nutrition Education, said that people do not go to a shop to buy protein, minerals or vitamins, but food. Soybean is food and is very rich in protein, hence when people eat soybean, a high amount of protein has been consumed.
According to him, soybean should be diversified by creating more products with it. He cited noodles as an example as it is the favourite of most children. He noted that there should be Community Nutrition Education on the benefits of soybean consumption.
The keynote speaker, Professor Ibiyemi Olayiwola, a professor of Human Nutrition, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Bowen University, Iwo Osun State, stated that protein deficiency has led to a number of diseases among vulnerable groups such as wasting, stunting and underweight.
She said that protein is needed at different stages of life for growth, to boost the immune system and for energy. “The biological value of soybean cannot be overlooked and should be integrated into most of our meals. Protein is the reason that soybeans have historically been called ‘meat of the field’ or ‘meat without bones’,” Professor Olayiwola said.
She added: “Nutrition experts agreed on RDA (recommended dietary allowance) of at least 0.8g/kg body weight/day that safely and adequately meets the protein needs of most healthy persons.”
She encouraged people to be soy-centred by keeping soybean in the kitchen and consuming soy sauce, soy milk, tofu, soy meal, soy flour, and soybean oil daily. She explained that it has 86 per cent net protein utilization.
The webinar was moderated by Mrs. Louisa Olaniyi, a television broadcaster from RAVE television.

Ecobank CEO: Operators Need Partnership to Tap Opportunities in Digital Financial Inclusion

Business Journal

12/12/2020

Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan
Managing Director
Ecobank Nigeria

Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, has said the biggest growth opportunities in digital financial inclusion lies in the ability to combine the mobile phone, cards and agency banking services in the most cost effective and convenient way to reach the citizenry on a sustainable basis.
Akinwuntan, who made this submission at the Ecobank-Vanguard Digital Financial Inclusion virtual summit in Lagos explained that bank branches and ATM channels are cost intensive to scale and less attractive to mass market financial service providers.
He said agency banking, Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), mobile app, card services, including internet banking and chat bots remain optimum channels for digital financial inclusion.
The Ecobank Managing Director explained that digital financial inclusion entails deployment of cost saving digital means to reach financially excluded and under-served population with a range of financial services suitable to their needs and delivered at affordable cost, noting that it offers lots of benefits to all players in the value chain and also engenders wealth creation, drives economic growth and sustainable development.
Further, he observed that the Nigerian financial inclusion trend has improved significantly, with exclusion rate declining 15.7 per cent between 2008 and 2018.
“There is sustained growth in digital financial inclusion, and it is largely driven by customer changing demands; entrance of non-traditional players such as Fintechs, Payment Service Banks (PSBs); mobile services penetration and enabling regulatory environment. With the introduction of mobile wallet Tier 1 accounts accessible with a phone number, agency banking, micro-lending, mobile BVN, micro-insurance, cashless policy and others we should now begin to move from poverty alleviation to wealth creation for the citizenry. Further partnership and collaboration of all stakeholders remains critical to deliver further growth in digital financial inclusion. Ecobank has been committed to driving digital financial inclusion through her pan Africa network advantage, award winning capabilities and various flagship products and services. We collaborate with Fintechs in Africa, as we are present across 33 countries in Africa. If you wish to bring your innovation into the financial system, you can reach out to us and we will guide you through the required regulatory requirements and then integrate your innovation into our digital payments and financial system”he stated.
In his presentation, Chief Executive Officer, 9mobile, Alan Sinfield, said though the telecom operators are playing a vital role in financial inclusion of unbanked and under-banked, collaboration and partnership of all stakeholders was key to increase volume of digital transactions and mobile money activities.
He lauded CBN for granting licenses to 3 Payment Service Banks (PSBs), stating that the PSBs will further help to drive financial inclusion and critically stimulate savings and investment as more liquidity is mobilised from the informal sector to the mainstream financial system that will translate to increased economic activities.
“Telcom operators in Nigeria have a customer advantage that financial institutions could benefit from to deepen their penetration. Banking started before telecommunication, but there are more active mobile lines than active bank accounts in Nigeria. A very key indication that we can achieve more through collaboration”he stated
Also speaking, Director, Payment System Management, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Jimoh Musa averred that financial inclusion is at the heart of the apex bank as it has been playing active role though the strategy is for the whole economy, stressing that the CBN is interested in the progress of financial inclusion in Nigeria.
He lauded Ecobank and Vanguard for providing the platform to discuss financial inclusion to support the effort of making financial services available to Nigerians. He disclosed that CBN is coming up with other strategies in 2021 basically to enhance the operating environment more conducive for every participant in the payment system with special focus on Fintech.
He added that the apex bank has done creditably well in agency banking, mobile money operations, digital banking, industry cost to service, and requirements of opening bank account to promote financial inclusion.
The Ecobank Vanguard Digital Financial Inclusion summit was designed to convene policy makers, operators, business and thought leaders as well as industry professionals to chat the way forward for the Nigerian digital financial landscape, specifically financial inclusion for the vast majority of citizens operating within the informal sector of the economy.

Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria to Benefit from Directory of Business Support Organisations

Business Journal

12/12/2020

Segun Awolowo
Executive Secretary/CEO
Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC)

A significant barrier for women entrepreneurs in Nigeria who find it difficult to access business support services, establish contacts, and obtain information has been lowered with the launch of a directory of business support organisations (BSOs).
The online BSO Directory for women-owned businesses in Nigeria has been launched by the International Trade Centre (ITC) as part of its SheTrades Commonwealth project, which is funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).
“Today we are focusing on partnership for better integration of women into the economic fabric of Nigeria through connecting them to global trade, ”Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Executive Director/CEO, Olusegun Awolowo said.
“Women are the backbone of practically all economies, especially the informal economy. Therefore we must join other countries by working together to boldly make women business enterprises a significant contributor to the country’s economy and revenue,” he said.
The BSO Directory, produced by NEPC in partnership with ITC, presents a profile of existing BSOs for women in export sub-sectors in Nigeria.
“It also provides a plethora of opportunities for women-owned businesses to contact BSOs and use their services in non-oil export transactions, ”Deputy Director of Export Development and Incentives,”Esther Ikporah said.
“The launch of this directory is an important step towards bridging the gap between BSOs and women-owned businesses. The NEPC encourages businesses to tap into opportunities brought by the directory,” she said.
NEPC Director of Policy and Strategy Ifeyinwa Evelyn Obidike said: “In tandem with mandate of NEPC and in demonstration of the council’s commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusiveness in non-oil exports, the directory is a significant milestone and a paradigm shift towards bridging the information, experience and exposure gaps inhibiting women-owned businesses in their internationalisation efforts. The NEPC is optimistic that the BSO Directory will fulfil its core purpose of linking Nigerian women-owned businesses to the BSOs.”
In addition to being a one-stop catalogue to access key profiles and relevant BSO contact information, the BSO Directory provides information on capacity building, business generation, funding, and advisory opportunities available to women-owned businesses in Nigeria.
The website also includes a dedicated COVID-19 section that offers trusted information on various institutional initiatives and services open to women-owned businesses.
Engagement with BSOs is a crucial channel through which the SheTrades Commonwealth project aims to help develop a more gender-inclusive business ecosystem in Nigeria.
The project has delivered numerous online training courses, workshops and coaching to BSOs in Nigeria to promote more inclusive service portfolios for women-owned businesses since the launch of the SheTrades Commonwealth project in 2018.
SheTrades Commonwealth has launched BSO Directories in Bangladesh, in partnership with SME Foundation, and in Ghana, in partnership with the National Board of Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) in the past few months.
SheTrades Commonwealth works closely with BSOs across Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria on pandemic response measures. It has developed a COVID-19 Crisis Management Toolkit that provides women-owned businesses with resources to assess the impact of the crisis and (re-)design their business models for greater resilience.
In November 2020, the project also organised a virtual gathering, Sharing for Success – A Virtual Gathering for Business Support Organisations to facilitate the sharing of best practices and lessons learned from managing the COVID-19 crisis.
The event helped reinforce BSOs’ capacity to support women-owned businesses and the private sector during and after the pandemic. More than 100 BSOs from over 25 Commonwealth countries participated in the week-long event.

Emirates Clinches 3 Gongs at World Travel Awards

Business Journal

09/12/2020

Emirates has been named as the World’s Leading Airline in three major
categories at the World Travel Awards 2020: World’s Leading Economy
Class, Airline Rewards Programme and Airline Lounge – Business Class.
Earlier this month, Emirates also took home four regional World Travel
Awards for the Middle East’s Leading Airline Brand; Middle East’s
Leading Airline Lounge – Business Class; Middle East’s Leading Airline
Rewards Programme and Middle East’s Leading Airline Website.
The airline took top rankings across both the global and regional
categories based on a record voter turnout from tourism consumers, a
testament to its ongoing efforts and focused approach to continually
enhance the customer experience in spite of challenges posed by the
global pandemic.
The latest honours come hot off the heels of a flurry of other award
wins over the last few weeks, including four wins at the Business
Traveller Middle East Awards, the Best Airline for 2020 at The Sun
Travel Awards, Best Long-Haul Airline at The Times and The Sunday Times
Travel Awards, in addition to being rated as the safest airline in the
world for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic according to the Safe
Travel Barometer.
Part of the airline’s commitment to deliver outstanding value to
customers is through industry-leading service and products across every
class of travel. In Emirates’ Economy Class, customers can explore over
4,500 on-demand entertainment channels on the airline’s award-winning
inflight system, ice. The airline also caters to every palate with
regionally inspired multi-course meals and complimentary beverages. In
early November, Emirates signature onboard dining experience returned
while observing strict health and hygiene measures.
In line with the airline’s ongoing efforts to ensure a seamless and safe
customer journey, as well as provide technology options to enhance the
overall experience, the Emirates app has also been enhanced to allow
customers to sync their entertainment options prior to boarding, as well
browse menus on their personal devices both online and offline.
To further safeguard customer health and well-being, Emirates has put in
numerous safety measures across every customer touch-point on the ground
and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits
containing masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes to all
customers.
The airline’s Business Class lounge in Concourse B in Dubai delivers
elevated comfort and service for Emirates’ premium customers. With
safety and hygiene measures in place, customers can relax, savour global
flavours, and catch up before they board their next flight. The Emirates
Business Class lounge at Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport has
also gradually revived its renowned pre-pandemic offerings such as full
food and beverage services, quiet areas, amongst other experiences.
Emirates Skywards, the loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai,
recently marked its 20 year anniversary and has grown its base to over
27 million highly engaged members in 180 countries by offering value in
bespoke experiences, brand partnerships and digital technologies.
To meet and exceed the ever-growing expectations of consumers for a
better digital experience, the airline has made significant investments
into its mobile and digital channels, such as personalized ice playlists
via Emirates app, 3D cabin previews ahead of travel, tickets bidding for
highly sought after event and sporting experiences using Skywards Miles,
amongst numerous other innovations. The Emirates app has been downloaded
over 25 million times, on the back of solid consumer uptake for a joined
up experience across all touch-points. During the pandemic, emirates.com
became an information ‘hub’ for the most up to date travel information
for consumers and industry stakeholders.
The annual World Travel Awards is a prestigious event that acknowledges
rewards and celebrates organizations within the travel, tourism and
hospitality sectors, and is recognized as a hallmark of industry
excellence. Winners were announced at a Grand Final event in Moscow,
Russia.

SEC DG, House Committee on Capital Market Chair Visits NSE

Business Journal

09/12/2020

L – R shows Chairman, Committee on Capital Market and Institutions, Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Ibrahim Babangida; Chief Executive Officer, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar N. Onyema and Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Lamido Yuguda at the enlightenment tour to The Exchange on Wednesday, 9 December 2020.

Verve ‘Good Life’ Promo Grand Prize Presentation for Dec 19

Business Journal

08/12/2020

Verve International has fixed December 19, 2020 for the ceremony to present the grand prize to winners of its on-going ‘Good Life’ promo, which kicked off in September 2020. The event will hold in Lagos where Verve will reward two lucky cardholders with the grand prize of N1 million each.
The Verve ‘Good Life’ promo was launched to reward loyal Verve cardholders and enable them to live the good life, whatever the ‘good life’ means to them. Since the unveiling of the promo, several cardholders nationwide have won different monetary prizes and airtime credits from the over N27 million prize pot.
With two weeks plus left to the end of the promo, over 450 lucky customers still stand the chance to be among the winners of the monthly cash prize of N50, 000 weekly cash prize of N10,000 and N5,000 airtime reward.
Banking customers are advised to visit their respective banks to request for a Verve card while Verve cardholders are encouraged to use their cards frequently, to stand a chance to win.
Cherry Eromosele, the Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Interswitch Group, said that since the launch of the Verve ‘Good Life’ promo, the firm has stayed true to its words by consistently rewarding loyal cardholders across the country.
“We have certainly shown exemplary leadership by walking the talk with the Verve ‘Good Life’ promo. Since the launch of the promo, we have consistently rewarded our loyal customers with cash prizes and airtime,” Eromosele said.
She added: “As we draw closer to the end of the Verve Good Life promo, I urge everyone without a Verve card to visit their respective banks and request for one, to stand a chance to win the grand prize of N1 million and other mouth-watering prizes.”
She stated that Verve will continue to exploit reward programmes to appreciate and positively impact customers, while providing premium card services.
To stand a chance to win the grand prize of N1 million, cardholders will have to use their cards 36 times across PoS terminals, ATMs, the web, or agent banking centres before the end of the promo on the December 13, 2020. To qualify for the weekly draw category, new and existing cardholders are expected to transact with their Verve cards at least three times in a week.
For the monthly wins, cardholders will have to use their cards 12 times in the month to pay bills, transfer funds, recharge airtime, withdraw cash, etc. to stand a chance.

Nigeria: Mobile Phone Market Rose by %14, 3m Units in Qtr 3

Business Journal

07/12/2020

Smartphone shipments into Nigeria increased 13.7% quarter on quarter (QoQ) in Q3 2020 to almost 3 million units, according to the latest figures from global technology and consulting services firm International Data Corporation (IDC).
The firm’s newly published Quarterly Global Mobile Phone Tracker shows that Nigeria’s smartphone market remained healthy in the third quarter as vendors shifted their model portfolios to entry-level and mid-range devices.
Transsion’s Tecno, Itel, and Infinix brands dominated smartphone shipments in Q3 2020 with a combined 76.4% share. Samsung placed second with 7.0% share and Xiaomi placed third with 5.3%. Chinese brands continue to invest in the country as they attempt to penetrate the market and gain a foothold.
The average street prices of smartphones declined marginally (0.3%) as the dollar exchange rate remained high. The increase in VAT by 2.5 percentage points also had a negative impact on prices. With the relaxation of COVID-19 measures, the majority of consumers returned to the physical retail channel in Q3 2020, leading to a 21.5% QoQ increase in retail sales.
Feature phone shipments rebounded strongly in Q3 2020, with shipments increasing 21.2% QoQ to account for 56.0% of the country’s overall mobile phone market. Feature phones remained resilient as they continue to be the preferred secondary phone in an environment of declining consumer purchasing power and rising unemployment. The major players in the feature phones space in Q3 2020 were Tecno with 49.7% share, Itel with 34.8%, and Nokia with 8.2%.
“In light of the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, vendors continued to ship more affordable devices priced below $200 as they sought to address demand for cheaper models and penetrate consumer segments with lower purchasing power,” says George Mbuthia, a Research Analyst at IDC. “This strategy of offering more devices in the entry-level and mid-range price bands (<$200) ensured a faster market recovery from the weak performance seen in Q2 2020, which was heavily impacted by COVID-19." IDC expects Nigeria's overall mobile phone market to grow 3.1% QoQ in Q4 2020, with feature phone shipments increasing 1.9% and smartphone shipments growing 4.7%. "Promotions from the end of November through the festive month of December will support the market's growth in Q4 2020," says Ramazan Yavuz, a Senior Research Manager at IDC. "COVID-19 will continue to pose a threat to the overall economy and, in particular, to mobile phone markets. However, smartphone shipments will remain resilient in 2021, with customers moving from feature phones to smartphones and data usage increasing in the medium term." About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company.

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