The NAFDAC Head of Investigation and Enforcement, Federal Taskforce, Embugushiki-Musa Godiya, also said the agency would work to ensure that fake cosmetics and other counterfeit products were completely wiped out of the country.
News
Steering growth: Developments behind Partner Success in the channel ecosystem
By Emmanuel Asika, Country Head, HP Nigeria
Over time, we have seen that growth and success in the channel ecosystem have been mainly aided by collaborations or partnerships. As businesses steer through the intricacies of today’s competitive environment, it is impossible not to appreciate the significance of the contributions of partners. This partner growth has been aided by some crucial developments, namely: purpose-driven business models, enhanced insights, as well as the ability to scale up capabilities relevant to future competition. These developments are rewriting the undercurrents of partnerships and propelling businesses to higher levels.
Clear Purpose Collaborations: Keeping Sustainability at the Heart of Business
These days, the word ‘sustainability’has gone beyond being a mere slogan. It is now a deliberate notion of vital importance for businesses in Nigeria. With customers becoming more aware of, and basing their choices on environmental protection, collaborating with purpose-driven partners becomes vital. A couple of years ago, only 58 per cent of shoppers across all groups considered sustainability over the price of items. Fast forward to the present, and over 66 per cent of consumers declared that they will rather pay for environmental-friendly products.
This trend is also gradually catching on in Nigeria where a study found that consumers’ attitudes (cognitive, affective and conative attitudes) are positively and significantly correlated to sustainable consumption. Although the results of the interviews conducted among marketers and retailers revealed that such attitudes do not reflect in their buying behaviour, judging by the sluggish sales of sustainable products when compared to unsustainable products. But more and more Nigerians are taking recycling serious.
As a result, the onus is on businesses, and for their own interest, to take environmental protection seriously and take measures that will positively impact the areas in which they operate. They have to realise that the ability to pull resources together allows for more balance and effect for a better tomorrow. In addition, this helps growth, as 83 per cent business leaders are the opinion that sustainability programmes provide immediate and long-term value for their respective companies.
In Nigeria, which accounts for more than 150,000 metric tons of plastic bottles annually, half of it from the megacity of Lagos, business leaders are taking sustainability seriously, adopting sustainable practices for effective waste management, including total quality management, recycling, bio treatment, incinerations, neutralisation and secure sanitary landfills.
At HP, sustainability collaborations with its channel partners including vendors and resellers, have produced amazing results, with its Amplify Impact programme enabling the promotion of positive change to create a more advanced channel environment. The first of-its-kind partner assessment, resource, and training program, the HP Amplify Impact, has allowed more than 3,500 partners to drive change and utilise sustainability as a competitive advantage. Over the last 14 months, these HP Amplify Impact cohorts initiated over 7,000 transactions, all thanks to sustainability. This shows what purpose-driven partnerships can do.
In addition, in 2022, more than 60 per cent of HP’s revenue achieved its Corporate Knights standard for sustainable income. This milestone is a testimony of the significance of including sustainability as a vital business driver. We have long believed that by collaborating with organisations with similar ideas, we can produce a potent domino effect, promoting sustainable practices that aligns with the thoughts of consumers.
Utilising Insights from Data for Well-Informed Decisions
Without a doubt, data is the prevalent tool of the computer age, and the importance of properly utilising it for competitive business leads cannot be underrated. And those who base their decision making on data have seen their businesses grow twice as fast as those who don’t.
As such, data analytics collaborations are indispensable for the growth of businesses. Should you choose to go at it on your own, you may not have enough data to recognise significant and relevant developments. As observed, data partnerships are on the increase. In fact, a recent McKinsey study forecasts that by 2025, data-driven organisations will start data collaborations to produce more valuable insights for all partners.
Currently, HP’s Amplify Data Insights programme provides partners access to a vast pool of more than 20 billion data points, and this is updated weekly. HP has found that merging its data with that of its partners offers concrete trade opportunities. In the past three years, 98 per cent of qualified partners have chosen to report data, and this partnership tactic enables partners to identify evolving developments, recognise consumer choices, and spot gaps in the market, thus putting them ahead in their respective sectors.
In Nigeria, we have seen Partners begin to embrace data and Amplify Insights despite initial scepticism. Today, the programme validates itself with accurate predictions and niche opportunity creation within the growing Nigerian market.
Welcoming a Future-Ready Approach
Faced by economic uncertainties and ever-changing consumerhabits, partners are constantly reassessing their business tactics. The shift to online and digital marketplaces has provoked a dramatic change in their tactic, forcing them toembrace a future-ready mentality. To overcome thesechallenges, partners are looking to inventive channel programmes intended to raise alertness , interpretation, growth, and partnership. These programmes serve as guides through the age of digital revolution and provide the growing wishes of socially aware customers. During and post pandemic, this helped HP transition key partners to have strong online and digital spaces. In some cases, we literally built these platforms from scratch. The optimisation these solutions bring to our partners is at the heart of our Future Ready proposition.
In recognition of the importance of giving its partners power and control over their own affairs, HP has announced a number of innovative partner benefits and programme improvements under the auspices of the HP Amplify initiative. This places emphasis on creating competences, promoting partnerships, and improving performance. Interestingly, the HP Amplify programmehas participants from 99 per cent of revenue partners worldwide.
More determined than ever before to sustain the tempo of its channel-led business model, HP continues to adjust its method on the back of consumer comments and an unwavering promise to continually drive long-term partner growth.With a future-ready mindset and the backing of ingenious partner programmes, companies and businesses are ready to not only overcome present tasks but also come out tougher and more prosperous.
News
Invoke executive order for state, LG police, Afenifere tells Tinubu
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, on Saturday, urged President Bola Tinubu to invoke an Executive Order for the establishment of state and local government Police.
Afenifere, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi,in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, also called for the erection of close-circuit television sets and deployment of modern technology for security purposes in strategic locations to end insecurity.
Ajayi said, “There are indications that Tinubu is desirous of putting an end to this deleterious menace. Towards the end of January this year, he approved the procurement of digital tracking tools to enhance the apprehension of bandits, terrorists and armed robbers.
“On Monday, April 22, this year, he used the occasion of addressing participants at the African Counter-Terrorism Summit which opened on that day in Abuja to assure everyone of his government’s readiness to ensure greater security. Unfortunately, recent happenings have not shown that the President’s desire in this respect is being worked upon.
“President Tinubu should get state and local government police off the ground immediately through the invocation of an Executive Order while the process of amending the Constitution continues.
“Close circuit television sets, deployment of modern technology for security purposes including drones must be effected immediately.”
He explained that the statement was motivated by the recent reports of banditry and kidnapping in Ogun, Edo, Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Zamfara and Niger States, respectively which made a research organization declare Nigeria as one of the top nations where kidnap ranks highest globally.
Ajayi noted that Fulani herders and farmers’ clashes kept occurring in Osun, Ondo and Oyo State; Otu, Igbeti and Alaga in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State were the latest victims.
The Afenifere spokesperson also said, “In order to end insecurity, enhance people’s welfare and ensure the sustenance of Nigeria as one of the top investment destinations in Africa as desired by the government, there is the urgent need by the Federal Government and security agencies to be more innovative and decisive.”
He lamented that banditry, including armed robbery, kidnapping was still occurring on South-West roads such as Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode; Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan; Ore-Ijebu Ode-Lagos, Ikirun-Osogbo-Ilesa; Lokoja-Abuja, Owo-Benin and Ibadan-Iseyin-Saki.
“Latest reports have it that on Monday, May 13 instant, eight cocoa farmers were kidnapped at Marindoti Cocoa Farmers’ settlement in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State. Three students of Millicent Secondary School in the same area on their way to write their Senior Secondary School Examination, were also kidnapped at the same time.
“A sum of N31 million was reportedly paid to ransom three people who were kidnapped at Longe village on Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road last week Sunday. On Thursday, May 16, one Seliat Adeniji (nee Raji) was kidnapped in her Ebedi home in Iseyin, Oyo State. Her guard was killed in the process.
“Hon Bello Hassan representing Zurmi/Shinkafi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives last Tuesday claimed that terrorists have sacked about 50 communities and abducted over 500 people in his area of Zamfara State as bandits overran Zurmi, the second most populous town in the state killing palace officers as well as policemen.”
To put a serious check on all these, the Afenifere spokesman said that there was an urgent need to dig deep into the roots of the menace and to be decisive in applying the necessary measures.
News
NAFDAC shuts cosmetic shops in Lagos, seizes counterfeit products
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has shut three shops and raided others during a clampdown on the sale of unregistered “Dr. Teal’s” brand of cosmetics in Lagos State.
The agency disclosed this in a post on its X handle on Saturday, stating that the action came after a complaint from the trademark holder.
The statement read, “NAFDAC has shut down three cosmetics shops and raided others, targeting the sale of unregistered ‘Dr. Teal’s’ brand cosmetics. This action follows a complaint from the trademark holder regarding potential counterfeit products.
“Two suspected shops along Excellent Line at the Trade Fair Complex were targeted, resulting in sealed shops and invitation letters issued to attendants.”
It added that another development unfolded at Okas Global Link Limited where NAFDAC confiscated over 200 cartons of various Dr. Teal’s products and other unregistered cosmetics, suspecting them to be the source of distribution.
A shop identified as Cubana Stores at Phil Hallmark Plaza was also reported to have been sealed for stocking and selling the moisturising body and bath products of the alleged unregistered Dr. Teal’s brand.
NAFDAC added that according to its regulations, shop owners found guilty of selling unregistered products face penalties of up to ₦5m fine.
It said shop owners were also being questioned as part of ongoing investigations.
In the statement, the agency emphasised the health risks associated with fake cosmetics, stating the potential dangers of using products containing harmful substances.
News
Traders, soldiers clash at Banex Plaza in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed intelligence officers to Banex – an electronics and telecommunications gadgets market, in Abuja following a conflict that ensued between soldiers and some traders on Saturday.
A viral video seen by our correspondent on X on Saturday showed a multitude of civilians overpowering some soldiers during a free-for-all fight at Banex.
The Defence Headquarters, and the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army, Onyema Nwachukwu could not be reached for comments as of press time.
Meanwhile, a trader who simply identified himself as Abdul, told our correspondent on Saturday that the conflict ensued over the sale of a mobile phone.
“There’s a problem at Banex now. Some soldiers came to complain about a phone, and during an argument with the traders, a fight ensued,” Abdul simply revealed.
When contacted over the development, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, Benett Igweh has deployed officers of the FCT Intelligence Response Team to the scene of the incident.
“The CP has deployed the Intelligence Response Team to the scene,” Adeh confirmed.
-
Finance4 months ago
Court orders Sen. Victor Umeh to repay N136m bank debt to AMCON
-
Abuja Update3 months ago
UNDP, FG partnership needed to achieve inclusion, equity- Minister
-
Abuja Update2 months ago
Banks drive stock market performance with N147bn gain
-
capital market2 years ago
Rt.briscoe, FBNH, Others halts negative performance of stock market
-
Submission Guidelines4 months ago
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: POETRY COLUMN-NND
-
Health1 month ago
Capacity training will reduce migration of health workers- NPHCDA
-
Business4 weeks ago
Tingo Group unveils Tingo Electric, Tingo Cola drink at Lagos launch
-
News5 months ago
Oil thieves sponsoring malicious media campaign against Navy – Spokesman