Red Star Has Retooled to Serve Outsourcing Sector, Banks- Obabori

The recent assigning of specific tasks to four divisions of Red Star Express Plc was in its preparedness to harness potentials in the outsourcing space of the economy, without compromising on the mandate as the credible indigenous company with penchant for pick-up and delivery of express documents and parcels, domestic and international, said Mr. Peter Olusola Obabori, the group managing director/chief executive officer.

In this interview with Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, after his recent appointment as GMD, Obabori, said that the Group had since 2008 commenced the compartmentalization of its divisions, today, identified as Red Star Fright (RSF); Red Star Express (RSE); Red Star Support Services (RSSS) and Red Star Logistics (RSL).
Obabori, an astute management professional with long and outstanding Sales and Marketing career with an accounting and finance background, was previously the General Manager/Chief Operating Officer of Red Star Logistics Limited.

He joined the services of the organization in 1999. At various times, he served as the group's Assistant General Manager in charge of Strategy and Business Development for over five years and later as Deputy General Manager Sales with the responsibility for the national sales management.  Sola has a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Hons) degree in Accounting, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Business Administration from Obafemi  Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

He is an alumnus of several advanced management and leadership programmes from world class institutions including -The School of Business Leadership of the University of South Africa, McGill Executive Institute, Canada; Lagos Business School, Nigeria; Harvard Business School, USA; Haas Business School of the University of California, Berkeley, USA; The University of Westminster, United Kingdom and FedEx Purple Academy, Belgium where he excelled as the Purple Star Award Winner in 2006, among others.

Red Star Express Plc’s Journey in Past 24 Years
“It has been a long journey. Twenty-four (24) years is also a length of time in the history of the company; we have seen it together. I have been here for seventeen (17) years; which means out of the twenty-four years I have seen ups and downs.
 It is such a journey that has been rewarding to a very large extent, considering the amount of issues Nigeria has dealt with over the same period. 
As I said during the anniversary: the owners/founders of this great company have done a great job, because, naturally, the mortality rate for companies is typically five years.
“I can mention many companies that came up during the same time Red Star Express was established, they struggle to stay alive for five years and there after they fizzled away; not because the owners didn’t have good intentions. 
But, when you confront some issues that are bigger than you at some points, an economic circle that is tougher than you can contend with, sometimes, the best option is to give up and walk away from the fight. 
So, staying around for this long means that we have to fight with many things and have been able to survive.

Emergence as Group Managing Director and Plans for the Company
“To me, it is a mixed basket of joy, but comes with serious responsibilities. You can be joyful of clinching a new job, but you must be conscious of delivering on the expectations. 
There are big tasks on my hands; that is why the euphoria of been appointed the GMD has fizzled away as far as I am concerned. 
I am settled to do the work before me. In terms of plans for the future: I have met a very good company on ground that has done very well in the environment. 
Red Star has gone through many phases and it is listed company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) which puts us in the public domain.
“Therefore, we must not let down those who have put their investments here. That is why my number one role is to secure what is on ground and build on the foundations that have been laid in the last twenty-four years. So, we are looking at business expansions in various areas. 
We are looking at various innovations and technologies to drive our businesses and we are doing serious investments in the company for future stability. One of the things we have found in companies like this is that for your future growth you must consider the strategic investment areas. That is way we are building a future for those that will later take over.

Plans for (Indigenous) Business Acquisitions
“There are possibilities to that effect. As a businessman you keep your ears and eyes wide open to opportunities. So, Red Star Express will respond with regards to opportunities. 
At the global level it is happening in our industry; companies have to ‘swallow’ other companies. Such acquisitions have happened a lot in the banking sector in the last ten to fifteen years. 
Some of them are done voluntarily, while others are through enforcement or policy direction. When government says you must have certain level of capitalization, people may have to respond by ‘swallowing’ smaller companies. In our industry it is usually voluntary. We are open to business opportunities and will keep monitoring situations in the industry.

Businesses & Challenging Economic Situation, Competition in Industry 
“Looking at present economic challenge, Red Star was founded in 1992; a very turbulent economic period also in Nigeria. In 1998 there was global economic meltdown, which was also a season we weathered together. 
This is eight years after that cycle that saw the collapse of many banks. Therefore, permanent rejuvenation and focus are core areas that companies must emphasis. 
Because if you dabble into various businesses to stay alive; even diversification can kill your business. I have studied many companies and when you are a master of one trade, you also get yourself into trouble. For us in Red Star, one of the keys that have taken us thus far is focus
“Red Star is a much focused company I met and I have inherited as the CEO to run the affairs. Since 2008 we have had a bit of compartmentalization of our business leading to- Red Star Fright (RSF); Red Star Express (RSE); Red Star Support Services (RSSS) and Red Star Logistics (RSL). So, we have four companies inside Red Star Group.

Why Red Star Group Was ‘Unbundled’
“The purpose of the compartmentalization is to ensure that the entities can focus on the area of growth that we consider core for the business segment. For example, freight is a mega area of expansion. 
Sea freight market is huge, even though in Nigeria we are going through economic recession. In other words, the volumes of goods have gone down substantially. The Customs Service even confirmed that the volume of exports has depreciated by a very wide margin. 
Also from the air port side, as an import dependent economy, the volume has reduced, which means for us to go up we have to deepen what is on ground. For instance, the RSSS is engaged in outsourcing services for the banking sector. I see companies outsourcing some of their services to enable them focus on core competencies.
“We have offices nationwide; so, there is a structure already in place to help companies manage services they can’t handle, and definitely, it is cheaper for them. 
If you run a chemist company, must you run a dispatch session to be able to distribute your goods from company-to-company and homes? It makes a lot of economic sense for you to ‘offload’ that aspect of the business, because by the time you start buying trucks and other machinery, recruit staff, of course you are going to pull your self down.
“We have seen that happen to many companies who ended up burning their fingers. So, looking at these opportunities we created those divisions in our business to address the needs in our current economy. And we are responding well to the challenges. 
In fact, if you want to do well in Nigeria look at the banks; they are deploying technology to equip their businesses and drive down costs. If you do same with your business the results will show you made the right decision.

Assessment of Nigeria’s Postal Industry
“The industry is a reflection of total state of the economy. If the economy does very well, it will also benefit from it. If the power sector runs very well, what will happen? Production will improve substantially. 
To us, there will be more goods to deliver from one location to another. The industry is not operating in isolation of the rest of the economy; we are part of it. We oil the machine of distribution from the point of production to the level of consumption. 
That is our job; intermediaries from the time the raw materials are sourced to the end production. As the middlemen, whatever happens at the two ends, we will take a share of it. Whether they do well or not, the impacts rest with us
“To a large extent, the industry needs re-organisation, but it does not imply we are no contributing to the economy. 
I cannot boast that we have done better; we are reflecting the state of the economy in a larger scale. If you consider the investments in the industry, the workforce, taxes payable to the government-P.A.Y.E, corporate taxes; and structures put in place we have contributed to scaling-up of the economy. 
We need to put up the figures together to understand what the industry is contributing to the economy in general. There people who are licensed today to just do delivery. They operate without belonging to any Association, because today if you can acquire a truck or two you have started…

Read more: http://www.nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/e-guest/red-star-has-retooled-to-serve-outsourcing-sector-banks-obabori

Emirates Aviation University introduces a new Executive MBA Programme

Thursday, October 27, 2016 -  Emirates Aviation University has announced today the introduction of a new Executive MBA Programme in Aviation Management in collaboration with Coventry University in the UK. The specialised programme will begin in January 2017 and applications will now be accepted on EAU’s website.

The Executive MBA curriculum was designed for students who plan to pursue a career in aviation management or want to transition from an operational role into a general management role.

Professionals enrolled in the programme will benefit from the dynamic structure as the course is set to be delivered in both Dubai and the UK. As a growing aviation hub and home to one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, Dubai will be the ideal place for Aviation Management MBA students to learn about the industry. While in Dubai to study the first three modules, students will have the opportunity to visit and see first-hand the breadth of operations in aviation-relevant organisations such as Emirates, Dubai International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport and dnata. In the UK, students will also have the opportunity for organised visits to a range of organisations within the aviation sector. All enrolled students will need to attend modules at both locations to complete the course.

Consisting of six modules and set over the course of 12 months, the Executive MBA programme was specifically developed to fit the lifestyle of busy professionals. Teaching will be delivered in an intensive four day block, followed by individual study and submission of coursework.

Emirates Aviation University remains committed to offering new and industry-relevant programmes. Over the years, EAU has grown from a small college to a full-fledged university offering more than 44 programmes in various fields of study. The growth of EAU underscores the demand for quality higher education in the UAE and the rapid development of the aviation industry in the MENA region. EAU continues to expand and strives to cement its position as the centre of aviation education excellence both nationally and internationally.  Some of the programmes offered by EAU include postgraduate and undergraduate programmes in aviation management, logistics and supply chain management, aeronautical engineering, aerospace technology, pilot training and a wide range of aviation and aviation related programmes.

EAU participates annually in several national and international higher education exhibitions where prospective students have the opportunity to learn about the course offerings and speak directly to the faculty. The university is currently present at Najah 2016 Abu Dhabi’s leading higher education exhibition which concludes today. EAU will also take part in China Education Expo in Shanghai between 29 October until 30th October. For more information on the new Executive MBA Course, please visit:

https://www.eau.ac.ae/english/courses/postgraduate-studies/Executive-mba-aviation-management.aspx

Dr Ahmad Al Ali, Vice Chancellor , Emirates Aviation University

RedStar Express Plc Embarks on Mentorship Programme For Its Scholars

In its 13^th edition of scholarship offerings, one of Nigeria’s logistics company, RedStar Express Plc, has embarked on mentorship programme for students under its scholarship. Under this arrangement, some of its top management staff members were selected as mentors to nine scholars from public schools in the area under the Red Star Foundation Scholarship scheme.

This was reiterated upon by the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Sola Obabori, at the 2016 Red Star Foundation’s annual scholarship programme in which the company demonstrated its core values in its Corporate Social Responsibilities for the benefit of its immediate community in particular and the society in general.

Some of the management staff selected as mentors are; the Assistant General Manager (AGM) Operations and Services, Inemesit James-Okoro; AGM Sales Mudi Okumagba; The HOS RSE, Kayode Agbe; The Company Secretary, Frances Akpomuka; Manager, Domestics OPS, Jaiye Olafeso; Manager, Billing unit, Anna Okumagba; Group Treasury Manager, Funmi Odubonojo; RSE Accountant, Valentine Onyibo and RSL Accountant, Tunji Ojedokun.

According to Mr Obabori, “the primary role is to provide guidance and support to the scholars based on his or her unique developmental needs. At different points in the relationship, the mentors will give advice and guidance, share ideas, and provide feedback, identify resources to help mentee enhance personal development and career growth and provide quarterly reports on achievements and academic performance scholars”.

“The company organizes the annual scholarship programme in collaboration with its host community, Oshodi Local Government, the Schools’ Officials and University of Lagos Consult. The scholarship programme started in 2004. It is now in its 13^th edition and it has been expanded to Kano and Port Harcourt”.

“From inception to date, there has been 97 beneficiaries of the Foundation across Nigeria. Nine students from four senior secondary schools in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government are currently are currently benefitting from the annual scholarship to the tune of N50, 000 each per annum for their school uniforms, books and other physical needs till they graduate from senior secondary school”.

“To ensure continuity of scholarship, students must demonstrate continuous academic excellence throughout the duration of the scholarship and show exemplary character and integrity”.

The sole administrator of Oshodi-Isolo local government, Hon. Taoheed Adebayo speaking on behalf of the local government, commended Red Star Express for selecting some of its top management staff members as mentors to nine scholars from public schools in the area under the Red Star Foundation Scholarship scheme.

Sole Administrator, Oshodi Isolo Local Government, Hon Taoheed Adebayo (middle) and the management team of Red Star Express Plc along with parents and scholars awarded scholarship by the Red Star Express Foundation recently in Lagos

  

Hon. Taoheed noted that Red Star Express is one of the few companies in Lagos that has been consistent with the scholarship programme which is in line with his administration’s educational policies and commitments. “In the last four months, we have developed the educational sector. We made provisions for 15,000 uniforms for students. We have improved public libraries and its open for use now.”, he said.

It was an emotional moment for the father of one of the beneficiary who expressed his gratitude to the management of Red Star Express Plc for the annual scholarship awarded to Esther Anyim, his daughter an SS3 student of Ikeja Senior Grammar School and eight other students, saying that scholarship has reaffirm his faith in public schools.

The Assistant General Manager (AGM) Operations and Services, Inemesit James-Okoro, shared her experience as a mentor to one of the scholars, Queen Akuma under her tutelage in 2004. According to her, “Mentoring her was a big challenge but at the end of the day, the girl is a success story. Her family was not well off. There were times they could not meet her educational needs. I was her mentor and was there for her. She left secondary school and went to the university. I was still in touch with her. Today she works with a multinational company in Lekki. It turned out to be a success story", she revealed.

Fayose urges Ekiti people to prepare for war against herdsmen

- Ekiti state government recently signed a law restricting the movement and activities of herdsmen in its communities
 – However, the herdsmen have been accused of flouting the provisions of the law with impunity as well as threatening the state 
– Fiery Governor Ayodele Fayose says the silence of the federal government to the threat by the herdsmen speaks volume

Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, has exposed what he thinks is the alleged link between the federal government currently headed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the herdsmen who have continued with attacking communities without restraint. Fayose is not happy with the recent threat by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the umbrella body for herdsmen in Nigeria who openly threatened to wage war against the government and people of Ekiti state. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter President Buhari and Fayose Ekiti state currently has a law that restricts the activities of the herdsmen and Fayose recently arrested some of them for flouting the law.

He however claims MACBAN has lied that four cattle belonging to its members were killed by the newly inaugurated Ekiti Grazing Enforcement Marshal (EGEM). “Four days after this threat was issued against the government and people of Ekiti state by the Miyetti Allah, the federal government is yet to act in any manner that will disabuse the minds of Ekiti people, who believed that the federal government is in support of the threat. 

Read more: https://www.naij.com/1022793-tension-fayose-alleges-link-between-buhari-and-fulani-herdsmen-declares-battle-video.html?utm_source=mailfire&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=reaction_pusher

Top New York Fashion Buyer, Bijou Abiola To Speak At GTBank Fashion Weekend

Bijou Abiola is a successful Fashion Buyer who is known for bringing the best of apparel to retail stores in the USA. 

She has worked directly with several top brands and designers such as Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Miss Selfridge and BCBG. 

On the 12th and 13th of November, Bijou Abiola will be at the GTBank Fashion Weekend to discuss the myths and facts behind stocking internationally and how indigenous brands can break into the global scene. 

Oshewa masters NNPC/Chevron tennis

After two failed attempts, Michael Oshewa, weekend, finally broke the jinx of being the only top three junior player in the country yet to win the NNPC/Chevron Junior Masters, by beating Stephen Augustine in the final of the 17th edition of the tournament. 

Playing on the Lord Rumens Centre Court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan, Oshewa, who was amongst the Team Nigeria squad that shone like stars at the last International Tennis Federation (ITF) West and Central Africa Junior Championship in Cotonou and Lome, showed class, determination,and grit in his straight sets 6-4, 7-6 victory over Augustine and ink his name  as the 17th winner of the longest-running junior tennis championship in the country.

Going into the match watched by an appreciable crowd  that included school pupils, who beamed with excitement at the end of every rally,, Augustine, who had lost in the last seven meetings against Oshewa, was unable to shake off  the seeming fear of facing his nemesis, playing catchup from the fifth game when Oshewa broke with a right hand winner down the line,. 

That was the break the latter was waiting for, putting his nose in front and never looking back as he closed out the first set 6-4 in a little 37 minutes. If the first set was easy, the next was the reverse, as Augustine dug deep, in his attempt to take the match to a decider, rattling Oshewa as early as the third game, only to be paid back in his own coin but managed to push his foe to tie-break, which he inadvertently lost in rather dramatic fashion. 

After pushing Oshewa to the brink of defeat in the second set, Augustine somehow and rather clumsily allowed the initiative to slip him, serving wide twice, before making two unforced errors to gift the set and match to Oshewa, who pumped his fist in the air to celebrate the victory. 

He was cheered by the school pupils, who were truly entertained by the serves, volleys and winners of the two finalists, who made the day a truly memorable one for tennis faithful, who went home entertained and satisfied.

Credit: Vanguard

‘We Need To INCREASE Price Of Petroleum Products, N145 Per Litre IS NOT Feasible ‘- NNPC

As Nigerians grapple with recession, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Monday reminded the nation that the sale of petrol at N145 per litre was no longer feasible with the current price of foreign exchange.

The Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing, NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari, stated this at this year’s Oil Trading and Logistics Expo, OTL, holding in Lagos. 

He said: “We have a very difficult business environment. It is impossible today to import products at the current market price, at current fixed foreign exchange, FOREX rate. ‘’There is no way today you can take products to retailers and sell at N145. It is not possible. If that is true and I believe that it is, because we all go to the market. 

Why can’t we sell above N145? That is where legislation should come in.” Kyari, who explained that the current price was not realistic, however, said that any official increase by the government would not go down well with the citizenry as it will be resisted. 

“I also know today that it is impossible for this government to announce tomorrow that petrol is about N150. This government cannot sustain it. That is the truth. 

The people will not accept that figure. ‘’That is why suppliers are not importing. It is not FX. We have created a niche market for the FX. I am part of the committee allocating FX. We gave FX. It was rejected. 

The reason being given is that FX is not enough to import. But that is not true. “The truth is that marketers go back to the market and land it here, that you are required to sell it at N145 maximum. I am sure they won’t make it.  

We won’t let you do it today. That is the main reason people are not importing today. It is not FX,” he added. Kyari further explained that Nigeria was still in a subsidy regime, as the NNPC took the bulk of importation to ensure that petrol was sold at the official rate of N145 per litre. “Today, we are in subsidy regime, absolutely. There is no way you bring product today and sell at N145 and get back your money, and make profit. That is not possible.  

You can see some marketers saying that fuel is N138. ‘’It is because they did not import. Somebody has taken the heat off the price. Because we (NNPC) have taken the heat, and you buy from us; you can afford to go to the market and then put a ridiculous price. It is not possible, because they did not import it. It is not FX,” he said. Debunking the notion that marketers were constrained by the unavailability of FX, he accused them of being reluctant to go for it. 

He added: “As I speak to you, there is stranded FX that nobody is ready to pick up. We have closed the chapter on FX.’’

Emirates completes US$11 million makeover of its Business Class lounge at Dubai International Airport

…Enhances lounge offering with exclusive partnerships with Moët & Chandon, Voss Water and Costa Coffee

Emirates has completed a major makeover of its Business Class lounge at Concourse B of Dubai International Airport. The US$11 million refurbishment project took two years to complete and is part of the airline’s continuous investment to improve and upgrade its products for a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.

Emirates’ premium customers can now look forward to an enhanced lounge experience with three new distinct concept areas within the Emirates Business Class Lounge. The latest food and beverage concepts cater to diverse tastes and include a barista experience in partnership with Costa Coffee, a Health hub with Voss water featuring healthier options, and an exclusive Moët & Chandon champagne lounge.

The new offering is in addition to the seven other locations within the lounge with gourmet cuisine prepared by on-site chefs and a complimentary full bar service, which includes premium wine, spirits and champagne.

All the food and beverages offered within the lounge are complimentary for Emirates First Class and Business Class customers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum, Gold and Silver members - the airline’s frequent flyer programme.

Barista experience

Customers passing through the Emirates Business Class lounge in need of a caffeine fix can enjoy complimentary handcrafted beverages prepared by Costa Coffee baristas as well as a fresh range of pastries, provided round the clock. The coffee bar will serve signature Costa drinks made using their unique Mocha Italia espresso blend.

Beverages available include their signature Flat White along with iced coffees and favourites like cappuccinos and caffe lattes.

Health hub

For the health conscious traveller, Emirates has introduced the Health hub in partnership with Voss water. With an increasing demand for health, well-being and more nutritious meals, Emirates is the first airline to have a dedicated health hub within its lounge.

The new station allows travellers to rehydrate and recharge before their flights with a selection of fruit and water infusions. It also features a healthy menu of gourmet sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Healthier beverages such as a selection of juices and smoothies are also available.

Champagne lounge

Customers looking to unwind before their flight can look forward to the Moët & Chandon champagne lounge created exclusively for Emirates. The first-of-its-kind lounge to be located in an airport reinforces Emirates and Moët Hennessy’s longstanding partnership of over 25 Years.

Moët Hennessy champagnes are a mainstay of the Emirates experience; however, this is the first time an airline is serving four of Moët & Chandon's finest champagnes in one place. This includes Moët Impérial, Moët Rosé Impérial, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage and Moët Nectar Impérial.

To complement each champagne, chefs from Emirates flight catering and the in-house lounge teams collaborated with Moët & Chandon, to create a unique selection of canapés - from sweet to savoury flavours. The canapé menus are changed monthly and include selections such as smoked salmon wrapped in nori with wasabi mayonnaise to complement the Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2006 and passion fruit and jasmine tea macaroons to be paired with Moët Nectar Impérial.

Guests can enjoy their drinks at the chic bar featuring a golden wave design adorned with 2,400 intricate gold leaves applied individually by hand.

The three new refreshment areas are the first of a several new concepts planned for the lounges at the Emirates hub in Dubai. In the coming year, Emirates is looking to further improve the customer experience by introducing a sports bar and a cocktail bar within its lounges.

The Business Class lounge in concourse B is one of six Emirates lounges at Dubai International Airport and is part of a network of 39 dedicated airport lounges located within major airports around the globe. Each lounge has been designed with the same attention to detail and exceptional service offering premium customers the highest standards of comfort and ease at every stage of their journey.

The newly refurbished lounge measures close to 10,000 square feet to accommodate over 1,500 customers – a 40% increase in seating capacity. In addition to the new refreshment stations, the children’s play area with arcade quality games has been doubled in size, and the Timeless Spa within its premise has been renovated and offers hair, beauty and therapy treatments.

Lounge guests can also refresh with a shower, unwind at designated quiet areas, stay up to date with the latest news and live sports and stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi.

Customers looking to unwind before their flight can look forward to the Moët & Chandon champagne lounge created exclusively for Emirates.

Emirates has completed a major makeover of its Business Class lounge at Concourse B of Dubai International Airport.

GTB Fashion Weekend:Getting more exiting as Celebrity Make Up Artist Sam Fine speaks at event

Sam Fine is one of the most sought after Make-up Artists in the world. Highly regarded for his talent, entrepreneurship and passion for innovation, Sam's clientele includes global personalities and top celebrities such as Halle Berry, Vanessa Williams, Iman Bowie and Naomi Campbell, among others. Sam Fine's works have also appeared on the covers and pages of global fashion magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Essence and Vibe, and he was the first African-American spokesperson of Cosmetic giants, Revlon and Covergirl. On the 12th and 13th of November 2016, Sam Fine will be at the GTBank Fashion Weekend to speak on how to leverage talent, entrepreneurship and innovation to create a sustainable business in Makeup Artistry.

Check out how Trump calling Clinton “Nasty woman" is a help in disguise

Calling Hillary Clinton a “nasty woman” may have been the best thing Donald Trump has ever done for her campaign. First there was that debate when Trump man-terrupted Clinton three times more than she interrupted him.

During the third debate, Trump fired off his most respectful attack when he leaned into his mic and blurted out that Clinton was “such a nasty woman.” Well, he did say no one respects women more than him.

Now a lot of women has taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction at such outburst from Donald Trump. 

Saying, Nasty Woman is code for: intelligent, confident, hard-working, prepared, experienced and so on.

Hashtags created includes: #debatenight #nastywoman #NastyHillary for halloween #ImWithHer #I'mANastyWoman  #NastyWomenVote etc. 

Check out shirts to boost the rally...

Caroline Rush British Fashion Council CEO offers insight at GTBank Fashion Weekend

Caroline Rush has achieved remarkable success in promoting the British fashion industry, particularly through organizing the globally renowned London Fashion Week and the prestigious British Fashion Awards. In 2015, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the Queen of England for services to the British fashion industry. Caroline Rush will be at the GTBank Fashion Weekend to offer insights on how to successfully position a fashion brand.

GTBank Redefines CSR with impactful approach

 

The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) developed alongside the emergence of corporations more than a century ago and is now practiced by most companies and institutions around world. While corporations may vary in their level of commitment to CSR, their practice is largely focused on corporate philanthropy such as donating to charities, supporting causes or sponsoring individuals, groups and programmes. However, some companies, intent on making their CSR impact more effective, are rethinking this approach. Among these companies is Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) plc, a leading African financial institution headquartered in Nigeria and spread across sub-Saharan Africa and the United Kingdom.

GTBank has always been heavy on CSR. The bank maintains a clearly defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy with targeted focus on Education, Community Development, the Environment and Arts. Among its landmark CSR programmes are the GTBank Adopt-a-School programme through which the Bank has taken over the provision of facilities to some public schools across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The Bank also sponsors three annual secondary school football tournaments—The Lagos State Principals Cup, the Ogun State Principals Cup and the Masters Cup—all of which have become major grass-roots football competitions in the country. The bank’s backed Orange Ribbon Initiative is the foremost Autism-focused initiative in the country providing support and raising awareness for people living with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Not resting on its CSR feats, GTBank is innovating how it gives back to its communities by going beyond traditional corporate philanthropies to intervene in key economic sectors to strengthen small businesses through non-profit consumer focused fairs and capacity building initiatives that serve to boost their expertise, exposure and business growth. The first big example of this new approach was the Food and Drink Fair which the bank organized in May. Although the event had all the flavours of Food festivals, with world-class chefs such as Marcus Samuelson and Raphael Duntoye serenading cooking masterclasses, its raison d’étre was to boost the enterprise of indigenous SMEs in the food sector. In that front it succeeded quite remarkably with over 25,000 guests attending the fair and the over 100 SMEs seeing record sales of their products.

GTBank is now looking to repeat what it achieved with the Food and Drink Fair in the Fashion sector. “We are thrilled to be the first in the Nigerian financial sector to pioneer an initiative that will assist in unlocking growth opportunities for businesses in the fashion industry,” said the Bank’s MD, Segun Agbaje, in a Press Release announcing the GTBank Fashion Weekend set to take place in November. “We are committed to growing SMEs in a sustainable manner that is not driven by profits but focused on empowering our customers and growing our economy collectively.” The Weekend, it is understood, will have all the glitz and glamour of fashion events but at its core will be the theme of Promoting Enterprise, which will be achieved through the Fashion MasterClasses for entrepreneurs and designers as well as retail exhibitions to boost the sales of local SMEs.

While in the process of organizing the Fashion Weekend, GTBank also announced the launch of its virtual arts gallery which the bank said will serve as a free platform for local artists to exhibit their artworks and achieve greater market exposure. “At GTBank we see art as an avenue for unlocking people’s creative potential and by creating ART635 we aim to expand the opportunities for art education as well as broaden the reach and viewership of the works of indigenous artists,” said Mr Segun Agbaje in a statement announcing the gallery’s launch. “Although African art goes back several centuries, the art industry in the continent is still young and largely untapped and we hope that with ART635 we can drive its evolution into a lucrative and vibrant economic sector,” he added.

Given the depressed economic situation in Nigeria, and indeed across sub-Saharan Africa, GTBank’s new approach to CSR is an apt response from a company keen on boosting the general economic fortunes of its community. Small businesses, on which the economic growth and development of most African states depend, need not just financial empowerment but also capacity building and access to market, aspects that GTBank’s CSR-tweak does address. The company’s new approach to CSR also shows that far from just innovating for business growth, companies and organizations must always evolve how they give back to their communities to ensure that their CSR programmes continually make its desired impact.

Fashion Icon Dylan Jones to speak about Global Fashion Trends at the GTBank Fashion Weekend

As part of efforts by GTBank to make the Fashion Weekend impactful and grand, an  illustrious veteran of lifestyle journalism, Dylan Jones who has seen it all in the world of fashion and style, having been involved with lifestyle magazines for three decades will be speaking to the Fashionistas and trendsetters in Lagos.

Since 1999, Dylan has led GQ to over 30 awards while winning nearly a dozen personal awards in the process, including being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2013 by the Queen of England. On the 12th and 13th of November 2016, Dylan Jones will be at the GTBank Fashion Weekend to share his rich insights on the global trends shaping fashion and style.

To register for this masterclass please visit http://fashionweekend.gtbank.com/register-for-masterclass/ limited spaces available.

Why is GTBank Organizing a Fashion Weekend, and Why Should I Attend?

GTBank Fashion Weekend is part of the bank’s long history of supporting the local fashion industry

Foremost African financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank plc, last week announced the debut of the GTBank Fashion Weekend, set to hold on the 12^th and 13^th of November 2016, at the GTCentre, Oniru, Victoria Island. With the bank being the first financial institution to pioneer such initiative, it is important to understand its motive for organizing such an event and necessary to know what guests will gain from attending.

Why is GTBank Organizing a Fashion Weekend?

Perhaps the short answer is: To promote enterprise in the SME sector of the Fashion industry. The not-so-short answer would begin with the fact that GTBank actually has an extensive footprint in fashion that goes back several years. The bank has sponsored two of the country’s leading fashion events, The Arise Fashion Week and The Lagos Fashion and Design Week, for a combined period of five years. The bank has also contributed significantly to raising the international profile of African fashion through collaborations including the Ndani Installation at Selfridges and the “Double Club” Collaboration with PRADA.

The GTBank Fashion Weekend is thus an extension of the bank’s long tradition of supporting the local fashion industry and African fashion in general. However, the Weekend extravaganza is much bigger than whatever the bank has done in the past to support Fashion because it not only aims to celebrate African fashion but to directly boost both the expertise and exposure of small businesses and create a platform that will truly serve the stakeholders in the fashion industry. As Mr Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director of GTBank, puts it, “[it is all about] growing SMEs in a sustainable manner that is not driven by profits but focused on empowering our customers and growing our economy collectively.”

At the core of the Weekend are fashion MasterClasses, where entrepreneurs will have the unique opportunity to interact with and learn from global fashion industry leaders, and Retail Exhibitions which will showcase the wares of dozens of SMEs within the fashion industry for patronage from guests. An example of how effective retail exhibitions can be is seen in the very successful GTBank Food and Fair held in May where over 25,000 guests helped over 100 SMEs achieve record sales of their products.