The talent, energy, creativity and global appeal of Nigerian and African artistes is being celebrated by Emirates in its new pan-African brand advertising campaign.

The world’s fastest growing airline is taking the message of ‘New Africa’ to the world. The campaign video highlights the achievements of Nigerian-born, Abiola Oke and amplifies the energy and rich potentials of Africa.

The campaign also features an original song with energy-filled music and inspiring lyrics that reflects the beats of contemporary African electronic club music. Produced by Blinky Bill, the song has popular sounds and rhythms that are currently dominating the radio, blasting out of taxicabs and on the dance floors across the continent.

Music is a unifying language not just across Africa, but around the world. The song does away with cultural clichés and instead celebrates the vibrant energy of contemporary Africa.

Abiola Oke left New York and a career on Wall Street at the age of 31 to return to his hometown Lagos, Nigeria, as the CEO and Publisher of OkayAfrica – a digital media platform. His business is dedicated to African music, film, culture and entertainment.

Paying tribute to a new generation of African disrupters who are making their mark globally across music, fashion, literature and the arts, the campaign celebrates the cultural renaissance taking over Africa.

The short films produced by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) for Emirates, tells the stories of unique individuals from different parts of the continent. Poised to become cultural ambassadors for Africa to the world, they share a common passion to bring their global exposure and influences to their own local journeys, as they discover what it means to be ‘home’.

“It is impossible to ignore the energy and talent coming out of Africa today, whether in music, fashion, sport or art. We’re seeing a greater awareness of a strong, proud African identity – while being very connected to a broad, global culture. We wanted to join the conversation and celebrate amazing, inspiring stories of people constantly pushing boundaries and challenging African stereotypes. To us, that is what travel is about, to find a common ground that helps us connect, to question, to be curious, and I believe this campaign does just that in taking Emirates closer to the heart of our audience in a way that is authentic,” said Boutros Boutros, Divisional Senior Vice President – Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand, Emirates.

Richard Pattinson, Head of BBC StoryWorks said, “This new series taps into the deep creative strength of the BBC to deliver a campaign that will capture the attention of our extensive and premium audiences in a way that no other publisher can.”

The series gives us a closer look at the inspiring stories of pioneers who represent today’s Africa.

Abiola Oke left New York and a career on Wall Street to return to his hometown Lagos, Nigeria, as the CEO and Publisher of OkayAfrica – a digital media platform – at the age of 31. His business is dedicated to African music, film, culture and entertainment.

Nairobi-based “Blinky” Bill Sellanga – Kenyan musician, producer and DJ is the embodiment of a renaissance in African music. As part of the Kenyan art and music collective ‘Just A Band’; he has been redefining the modern African musical identity and has performed his music all over Africa, Europe and the rest of the world.

Shanelle Nyasiase is a 21-year-old South Sudanese model who was born in Ethiopia and raised in Kenya. She had dreamt of becoming cabin crew but her journey took her to international catwalks in Milan and New York instead, where she has worked with some of the biggest international fashion brands.

Emirates has launched a pan-African brand advertising campaign that celebrates the talent and achievements of young Africans, taking the message of ‘New Africa’ to the world.

The campaign also features an original music video produced by Kenyan musician and DJ Blinky Bill, inspired by contemporary African electronic club music.

Paying tribute to a new generation of African disrupters who are making their mark globally across music, fashion, literature and the arts, the campaign celebrates the cultural renaissance taking over Africa.

The short films produced by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) for Emirates, tells the stories of unique individuals from different parts of the continent. Poised to become cultural ambassadors for Africa to the world, they share a common passion to bring their global exposure and influences to their own local journeys, as they discover what it means to be ‘home’.

“It is impossible to ignore the energy and talent coming out of Africa today, whether in music, fashion, sport or art. We’re seeing a greater awareness of a strong, proud African identity – while being very connected to a broad, global culture. We wanted to join the conversation and celebrate amazing, inspiring stories of people constantly pushing boundaries and challenging African stereotypes. To us, that is what travel is about, to find a common ground that helps us connect, to question, to be curious, and I believe this campaign does just that in taking Emirates closer to the heart of our audience in a way that is authentic,” said Boutros Boutros, Divisional Senior Vice President – Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand, Emirates.

Richard Pattinson, Head of BBC StoryWorks said, “This new series taps into the deep creative strength of the BBC to deliver a campaign that will capture the attention of our extensive and premium audiences in a way that no other publisher can.”

The series gives us a closer look at the inspiring stories of pioneers who represent today’s Africa.

Nairobi-based “Blinky” Bill Sellanga – Kenyan musician, producer and DJ is the embodiment of a renaissance in African music.

As part of the Kenyan art and music collective ‘Just A Band’; he has been redefining the modern African musical identity and has performed his music all over Africa, Europe and the rest of the world.

Shanelle Nyasiase is a 21-year-old South Sudanese model who was born in Ethiopia and raised in Kenya. She had dreamt of becoming cabin crew but her journey took her to international catwalks in Milan and New York instead, where she has worked with some of the biggest international fashion brands.

Abiola Oke left New York and a career on Wall Street to return to his hometown Lagos, Nigeria, as the CEO and Publisher of OkayAfrica – a digital media platform – at the age of 31. His business is dedicated to African music, film, culture and entertainment.

The campaign also features an original song with energy-filled music and inspiring lyrics that reflects the beats of contemporary African electronic club music. Produced by Blinky Bill, the song has popular sounds and rhythms that are currently dominating the radio, blasting out of taxicabs and on the dance floors across the continent.

Music is a unifying language not just across Africa, but around the world, and the song does away with cultural clichés, instead celebrating the vibrant energy of contemporary Africa.

The Africa Bancassurance Academy would like to notify the financial media and the business community that the 4th Africa Bancassurance Masterclass, the flagship bancassurance training programme of the Africa Bancassurance Academy Limited a.k.a. School of Bancassurance will hold in Lagos Nigeria on 16 – 18 April 2019.

In the post universal banking era and precisely in 2018, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in exercise of its power under section 33(1)b of CBN Act 2007 including its provision of part 2 section 3(1) of the CBN scope, condition and minimum standards for commercial banks regulation no. 1, 2010, issued some revised guidelines on the operation of bancassurance between Nigerian money deposit banks and insurance companies.

In confirmation of this scheduled revise guidelines, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) which regulate insurance practices in Nigeria, had also in the same year re-issued the CBN‟s guidelines for use by insurance companies.

These two new policy releases from the insurance and banking sector regulatory institutions, thus marked the formal commencement of the practice of bancassurance in Nigeria and the month of April 2019 makes it full one year of regulated bancassurance operation in the country.

One key pertinent question to be answered at this event is – how has bancassurance business fared in Nigeria after one year? The Africa bancassurance masterclass is a professional meeting place for senior executives and bancassurance practitioners in insurance and banking industry across the region.

It provides a platform for insurers, banks, policy makers, risk managers, and financial services intermediaries to connect and develop their knowledge, build valuable networks, explore emerging trends as they relate to the bancassurance market, and map out actionable initiatives that will drive sustainable development of our bancassurance market.

The masterclass is organised to provide the enabling environment for key stakeholders in the financial services industry to network and brainstorm on the future of Bancassurance in the continent.

Globally, one of the most significant changes in the financial services sector over the past decade has been the appearance and development of bancassurance. Banking institutions and insurance companies have found bancassurance to be an attractive – and often profitable – complement to their existing activities.

The successes demonstrated by various bancassurance operations, although not all of them have been successful, have attracted the attention of the financial services sector, and new operations continue to be set up regularly.

Banks are constantly looking for ways to supplement their core earnings and insurance companies are also driving to increase their premium income. Bancassurance, the distribution of insurance products and services by banks, is one way. Banks see this model as a sure step in the financial market where one institution serves all the financial needs of its customers.

This naturally was a positive development for insurers as they see bancassurance as a strategic distribution channel that will help them increase insurance penetration in the economy and achieve the much-needed financial inclusion agenda.

Addressing financial correspondents at a news conference in Lagos organised by the Africa Bancassurance Academy (ABA), the Founder & President of the Academy, Chief Obasi Ngwuta, said the program, which forms the basis of the Africa Bancassurance Masterclass 2019, has been under continuous development for almost 10 years now.

In that time, hundreds of Banking and Insurance company management and staff from all across the Asia-Pac, Middle East and African regions have participated in the program. Consistent feedback from attendees is that the program exceeded their expectations and has undoubtedly helped them to improve the performance of their Bancassurance channel.

The Africa Bancassurance Masterclass is a rich blend of strategy, practical knowledge, tips and tactics, hands on activity and best practice lessons from across the globe. Since its inception, the program has grown to become what is arguably the best short course of its kind. Chief Obasi Ngwuta, said the 2019 Africa Bancassurance Masterclass is in 2 parts.

The first day is exclusively for CEO’s, their direct reports, Board members and other selected senior staff. The sessions will focus on the ‘big picture’ and key strategic issues. The subsequent 2 days are for the practitioners and those responsible for the success of Bancassurance in your organisation.

The Africa Bancassurance Masterclass 2019 is proudly sponsored by Old Mutual South Africa as an initiative that supports the growth of Bancassurance in Nigeria.

The three-day intensive learning session, will look at product innovation and distribution strategies that will enable banks and insurers reap the maximum benefits from bancassurance partnerships