News
Dr. Omolaraeni Sends New Year Wishes To Stakeholders, Tasks FG To Embrace IMC
The CEO of McEnies Global Communications, Dr. Omolaraeni Olaosebikan, has felicitated all her local and international clients, media partners, business associates, and Nigerians at large for a successful journey into the forthcoming year 2024.
In a goodwill message on behalf of the entire management of the conglomerate, Dr. Olaosebikan, CEO of McEnies Global Communications, the parent company of McEnies Global Events and Protocols, Perfect Clicks Signatures, McEnies News Publications, and Ruby Modelling Company, expressed the belief that 2023 was indeed eventful for numerous reasons. She also exhorts Nigerians to keep trying their hardest and being optimistic in all that they do.
She further appealed to the government to stem the tide of insecurity in the country to expand growth and productivity and as well create a conducive environment to attract foreign direct investments.
The businesswoman, born in Ekiti, also expresses gratitude to Nigerians for supporting her brand and pledges to keep working hard to ensure her company is the nation’s go-to source for integrated marketing communications that can best meet their diverse needs and provide long-lasting satisfaction.
In a press release, she signed on Sunday, January 1st, 2024, and made available to the media, the integrated marketing expert said:
“We are grateful to God for giving us, our local and international clients, media partners, business associates and Nigerians at large, and its government the opportunity to be among the living in the year 2024
“It is our hope that at McEnies and for all our stakeholders, 2024 will resonate with hopes and aspirations, better business opportunities and with high spirit to do better, work better, achieve better and overall move on with positivity laced with penchant, zest and zeal to succeed.
“2023 was indeed an eventful year for so many reasons, though not without some storms, tribulations and vicissitudes; but the eclipse of 2023 brought some relief to millions of Nigerians both within and outside the country, as we all pray and hope for a more prosperous 2024, even as we expect Nigerians to remain hopeful and enterprising in their various fields of endeavor.
“We would not rest on our oars but will redouble our resolve to exhibit the requisite purpose, focus, purposefulness and the presence of mind to always actualize our goals and objectives to cater to the ever-increasing needs of our clients to achieve optimum value and enduring satisfaction.
“We equally thank all our clients for their patronage, and we assure them that we will remain their preferred integrated marketing communications outfit that will proactively and sustainably drive their objectives, vision, mission, and policy thrust.
“We however appeal to the government of Nigeria to show more commitment in stemming the tide of insecurity in the country to expand growth and productivity and as well create a conducive environment that can attract foreign direct investments.
“Nothing sets a nation backward like deepening economic paralysis, as evidenced by job losses and shutdown of private businesses. Such developments usually have a devastating impact on national security, for it has been proven that there is a correlation between the economy and national security.
Similarly, the federal government must embrace branding and image-building through the use of robust integrated marketing communication (IMC).
This will ultimately help to shape the nation’s image and reputation in the global arena. By effectively branding and promoting her unique attributes, such as its cultural heritage, natural resources, or technological advancements.
“Marketing Communication can also attract tourists, investors, and trading partners. Positive nation branding can lead to increased foreign direct investment, tourism revenue, and international trade opportunities. We truly need to change the narrative in 2024 for our own positive advantage.
“It is our expectation that Federal Government will turn a new leaf in year 2024 by mitigating the rising scourge of insecurity and engage in promoting and exhibiting the good side of country to the comity of nations through use of professionals in IMC. This would go a long way to saving costs and making funds available for a more people-oriented governance in the year 2024 and beyond. Happy New Year, and God bless you all.” Dr. Olaosebikan stated.
By Abubakar Yunusa
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed its ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N825.
Esan Sunday, head of media relations and branding communications at Dangote Group, announced the reduction in a statement on Wednesday.
The development comes more than three weeks after the refinery reduced petrol price from N950 per litre to N890.
The new price means that the refinery has significantly cut the ex-depot price by N125 from N950 per litre in January.
“This recent price reduction will also ensure that Nigerians pay between N860 and N865 per litre for petrol at the pump in Lagos,” the statement reads.
“This strategic price adjustment is designed to provide essential relief to Nigerians in celebration of the Ramadan season, while also supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery policy by alleviating the financial burden on the Nigerian populace.
“It is important to note that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently lowered the prices of petrol and other refined petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians.
“This marks the second reduction of PMS prices in February 2025, following a previous decrease of N60 earlier in the month.
“Additionally, in December 2024, during the yuletide period, the refinery reduced the price of PMS by N70.50, from N970 to N899.50 per litre, as part of its commitment to easing the cost of living and providing relief to Nigerians during the holiday season.”
The oil firm refinery also said previous reductions have positively impacted the overall cost of living, benefiting various sectors of the economy.
Dangote refinery added that its high-quality products, which have become a favourite in both domestic and international markets, will remain available nationwide, particularly through its key partners — MRS Holdings, AP (Ardova Petroleum), and Heyden — at market-friendly rates.
The organisation assured the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand and a surplus for export, thereby boosting the country’s foreign exchange (FX) earnings.
The refinery also called on marketers to support the initiative, ensuring that Nigerians remain the primary beneficiaries of its effort
Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the ruling party had a debt of N8.9 billion when he assumed office.
Ganduje took over from Abdullahi Adamu, who was the national chairman of the APC until his resignation in July 2023.
Speaking during the APC’s NEC meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the former Kano governor said the expenses were incurred during pre-election legal battles, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.
“The current NWC inherited debts and legal liabilities to the total tune of N8,987,874,663, arising from various legal engagements,” Ganduje said.
However, the APC chairman said Kareem Kana, the national legal adviser, has been working to reduce the debt burden.
“We still passionately appeal to the national executive committee to intervene accordingly,” he said.
Earlier today, the chairman said the party is making efforts to mend internal divisions and bring aggrieved members back into the fold.
Ganduje explained that the APC had initiated high-level discussions among party leaders and stakeholders to address lingering disagreements and strengthen party unity.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge
One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, applied for a date for hearing as well as for the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility pending trial.
The defendant’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application. He asked for a short date for the hearing. Effiong also asked that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.
Aso objected to the request for the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody. He argued that the EFCC custody was already congested with suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional facility since he had taken his plea.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.