JSP wins West Africa creative PR agency Award

The niche and premium positioning of Jsp Communications, a leading Nigerian Public Relations agency, has been applauded with the award of the most creative PR agency in West Africa. JSP, which provides "public relations with intelligence" and probably has the best client’s retention record in the Nigerian public relations industry, won the PR award for its depth and consistency.

The Outstanding PR agency Award in the Platinum category, was conferred on Jsp by the West Africa Innovation Awards Company. The Awards ceremony which took place in Abuja recently, followed an in-depth examination of the top public relations agencies in the West African sub continent, based on specific yardsticks and an international benchmark.

According to Mr Adeniyi Olusola, the Project Head of the West Africa Innovation Award, the initiative was based on the need to identify and uplift PR agencies and service providers in West Africa, who think strategically, execute diligently and add a touch of intellectuality to their service offering. “This award was borne out of the need we felt to recognize and highlight as models, agencies that have not only made an impact in their industry sectors but have also demonstrated a clear commitment to the spirit of innovation, creativity and holistic client satisfaction in West Africa."

He added: "We recognize Jsp Communications in this direction and lift them up as models in the provision of trusted, consistent and innovative public relations services in Nigeria and West Africa. We challenge JSP and indeed all the award winners to constantly raise the bar, be exemplary and remain committed to the spirit of excellence, creativity and integrity."

The management team of JSP PR company represented by Executive Director Ronke Adebule and Head of Media Strategy Funmi Erikitola, attributed this award to the team spirit at Jsp and strong value system of the agency. Speaking after the Award Presentation, Ronke Adebule, pointed out that, "we feel highly honoured but humble at this award. We realize that staying at the top can be much tougher than getting there. At Jsp, we shall continue to make every effort to work as a team in our relentless desire to constantly exceed our client’s expectations."

The Global Adviser of JSP Communications, Phil Osagie, noted that "in the new world order, the brain is the factory of the future. To remain a leader and a strong influencer, Jsp must benchmark itself against global best PR practice and strive to constantly redefine the PR playing field in Nigeria and West Africa."

The West Africa Countries covered in the search scope included, Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra-Leone, Benin, Cote de’ voir, Gambia, Togo, Senegal, Mali, Guinea Bissau, and Cameroun.

Some of the category winners are: Zenith Pensions Nigeria, Phoenix Insurance Ghana, Big &Bold, Insel, Heidelberg Cement, Halogen Security, Sierra-Leone Port Authority, Portland Paints & Products, Russelsmith Group and many others.

JSP Communications is the specialized Public Relations agency in Nigeria that provides value added Public Relations and Marketing Communications services in Nigeria to some of the world’s most admired brands and multibillion dollar corporations. Jsp offers a wide range of marketing communications services including strategic public relations, events management, robust media relations, crisis communications, media training and social media management.

Some of Jsp's premium clientele include: GTB Bank, RB Reckitt Benckiser's (makers of Dettol, Strepsils & many others), Chevron, Apple (Core Group Africa), Lead Capital, Olashore International School, Tetrapak, P&G, and Emirates, the world's fastest growing airline. 

  

Emirates Offers Special Fare to Dubai

 …Offer also includes free 3^rd piece of luggage and My Emirates Pass

LAGOS, NIGERIA, 12  July 2017 – Emirates is offering Nigerian travellers the opportunity to visit Dubai with a special Economy and Business Class return airfare that includes a  free third piece of luggage of up to 23 kg and a “My Emirates Pass”.

Under the special offer, an Economy Class ticket from Lagos to Dubai costs USD875 for low season and USD 941 for high seasons, while Business Class goes for USD3827 for all seasons. The fare offer is for a limited time only and tickets must be booked between July 13^th and 26th 2017, while travel must take place between 16^th August and 30^th November 2017. The cost of the ticket includes airport taxes.

Voted by travellers as the Best Airline in the World in the 2017 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice® Awards, Emirates is also offering a 3^rd piece of luggage of up to 23kg for Economy Class and up to 32kg for Business Class, as well as a My Emirates Pass, which can be used for exclusive offers and discounts across Dubai.

The ‘My Emirates Pass’ gives customers special discounts at over 120 world class restaurants and hotel dining outlets in Dubai. Exclusive offers are also available on a range of leisure activities including visits to championship golf courses, thrilling theme parks or luxury spas across the city. To see all My Emirates Pass offers, visitwww.emirates.com/english/offers/4221290/my-emirates-pass.

With year-round sunshine, world-class shopping and restaurants, stunning beaches and iconic buildings, Dubai offers something for the whole family. Visitors to Dubai can use My Emirates Pass to enjoy some of the city’s newest attractions including must-see places like Dubai Parks and Resorts featuring three theme parks: BollywoodParks™ Dubai, MOTIONGATE™ Dubai, as well as the region’s first LEGOLAND® Park and LEGOLAND® Water Park.

The city also offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets.

On all Emirates’ flights, customers can look forward to hours of entertainment on the airline’s ice system, which offers over 2500 channels of on demand audio and visual entertainment, from the latest movies, music, audio books and games, as well as family friendly products and services for children, including complimentary toys, kids’ meals and movies, priority boarding for families and the use of free strollers at Dubai International Airport.

In addition to the on-board comforts and products, customers will experience the world famous hospitality from Emirates’ multinational cabin crew while enjoying chef prepared regional and international cuisine, using the freshest ingredients, accompanied by a wide range of complimentary wines and beverages.

Emirates flies once a day from Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos to Dubai. To book, or for more information on fares, terms and conditions, please visit  https://www.emirates.com/ng/ or visit the local Emirates office or your travel agent.

Nigerian SMEs rejuvenates at RedStar SME 1000

Adedapo Adelegan, President, Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce/speaker (left); Hanna Einarsson, Chief Executive Officer, Tribute/speaker (second left); Sola Obabori, Group Managing Director, Red Star Plc (second right), and Paul Foh, Chief Executive Officer, Katalyst Consulting/speaker, during the Red Star 2017 SME 1000 Forum in Lagos at the weekend. 

Red Star Express hosted small start-up owners at the SME 1000 workshop. According to the Group Managing Director/CEO, RedStar Express, Mr Sola Obabori, “Red Star is committed to supporting the growth of SMEs in Nigeria which is the bedrock of the economy. We believe that a more connected world means more opportunities. This is why customers including SMEs count on our diverse portfolio of offerings to connect to more than 220 countries and territories, linking more than 90 percent of the world’s GDP.

“Through our foreign partners, we can take you from here to any part of the world within 72 hours. That is the kind of strength we have brought to the table. So if you are a businessman in Nigeria, we can take it from here and deliver your goods to anyone who has made an order from any part of the world.”

Tagged ‘Breaking Boundaries, the event was intended to serve as a ground-breaking medium for Red Star Express to bridge the logistics gap faced by SMEs, give them support by sharing insights, information and industry advice as it affects them in relation to the growth of their business. It was also intended to identify business opportunities for the company while helping them to build network locally and internationally.

Held in Lagos, the workshop created an opportunity for entrepreneurs and owners of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to receive advice and logistics resources from Red Star Express, other industry leaders and concerned regulatory agencies, so as to assist in creating an excellent opportunity to interact and network. It also created an opportunity for these entrepreneurs to exhibit their products.

Some of the speakers at the event encouraged these start-up owners and admonished them on the way to go in achieving success in their various businesses. The President, Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce, Mr Adedapo Adelegan, reiterated the need for patience while waiting for business growth. “You must have the patience to wait for 10 years to grow.

A business is like letter ‘S’ because when your business is at its peak, you start developing another idea. The reason for the second curve is to ensure that your business stands the weight of time. The internet brought information technology.  I however urge you to use the internet to get customers.” Similarly, the CEO Tribute, Anna Einarsson, advised the young entrepreneurs to map out a clear vision which will be a roadmap to business growth. “Vision without a plan is just a dream, so you need to write down your goals, set clear goals, make good contacts, take care of your contacts, celebrate small wins, keep your team motivated and goal focused, always keep a positive mind, think deep, take advantage of great social media tools, partner with good people build your tomorrow today and learn everything you can do. The General Manager SME Group, Fidelity Bank, Mr Kenneth Opara, pointed out that SMEs are seen as agents of growth that drive the economy. He however counselled the entrepreneurs. “Focus on critical sectors, recognise investment opportunities, build an internal strategy to survive, build your capacity as a business, build a process where investors can be interested in what you are doing, build a business model that supports your business opportunity and continue to innovate”.

Red Star Express has been a major e-commerce delivery backbone for a large number of SMEs, by ensuring hassle free order fulfilment. The SMEs will be availed the opportunity of choosing from a bouquet of services depending on their business needs and requirements ranging from deliveries within 3 to 6 hours in Lagos, door-to-door deliveries nationwide, Cash-On-Delivery, Prepaid Delivery, Drop off & Pickup Centres, Freight, Warehousing, Inventory Management, Outsourcing, among others.

Red Star Express is a licensee of FedEx (Federal Express), and one of the most reputable companies in the Nigeria logistics industry. Incorporated in October 1992, the company provides a portfolio of logistics solution which includes domestic and international deliveries, freight forwarding, integrated warehousing and haulage services, information and document management, e-Commerce order fulfilment services. Red Star became an Associate of TNT following the acquisition of TNT by FedEx in 2016.

Red Star Express to Host SME 1000

Red Star Express Plc is set to host entrepreneurs and owners of Small and Medium Enterprises to a forum to give them support by sharing insights, information and industry advice as it affects them in relation to the growth of their business. This event will seek to provide advice and logistics resources from Red Star Express, other industry leaders and concerned regulatory agencies so as to assist in creating an excellent opportunity to interact and network.

Tagged “Breaking Boundaries”, the event will be held on July 7 in Lagos at the Welcome Centre, International Airport Road. Apart from being a form of Corporate Social Responsibility for Red Star Express, SME1000 is a groundbreaking medium by the company to bridge the logistics gap faced by SMEs.

The Group Managing Director of RedStar, Mr Sola Obabori elucidated on the reason behind the project. “Red Star chose to embark on this SME 1000 project in order to promote and create a platform to connect these SMEs globally, because RedStar is a global business that can connect with any part of the world in 72 hours. We want to bring 1000 SMEs together to partner with them and create opportunities and network for them in order to enable them understand the process of running an SME”.

“We understand that some of the challenges of coming up with an SME is infrastructure, inconsistency, succession plans, lack of focus, all amongst others. In international countries there are usually plans for succession but it’s hardly done in Nigeria. However, we can’t say Nigerians have done badly because we have had good SMEs that have grown and stood the test of time. For instance, we have Dangote, Globacom, FCMB, and the likes.”

According to the Head, Projects and New Ventures, Ngozi Ochokwu, the SME sector is a major part of Nigeria's economy and has the potential to spur the country out of recession. With SME1000, Red Star Express, as a foremost logistics company in Nigeria, will reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the development of the indigenous market.

"As we undertake all concerns regarding logistics, we urge businesses to take advantage of SME1000 whilst focusing on building robust trading platforms. All they simply need to do is to register at http://sme1000.redstarplc.com  and from there; they can get the opportunity to participate. Attendance is free and there are lot of experts on ground to assist these entrepreneurs with business ideas and opportunities", she said.

Red Star Express has been a major e-commerce delivery backbone for a large number of SMEs, by ensuring hassle free order fulfillment. The SMEs will be availed the opportunity of choosing from a bouquet of services depending on their business needs and requirements ranging from deliveries within 3 to 6 hours in Lagos, door-to-door deliveries nationwide, Cash-On-Delivery, Prepaid Delivery, Drop off & Pickup Centres, Freight, Warehousing, Inventory Management, Outsourcing, among others.

Obabori Wins Courier Personality award

(L-r): Olufemi Oluwole, head, Marketing and Communications, Red Star Express receiving ‘Courier Personality Award’ on behalf of the GMD of the Company and presented by Sunday Dare, commissioner, Stakeholders Management for Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) at BoICT Awards 2017 held at Eko Hotel, Lagos.

The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Red Star Express Plc, Sola Obabori, has been named the Courier Personality of the year at the 9th edition of the Beacon of Information and Communication Technology award organized by foremost ICT Weekly news publication, CommunicationWeek.

According to organizers, the award is “merit-centric and designed to reward individuals and firms that have helped make life better for Nigerians” in terms of service offerings and performance.

Obabori was chosen for the award because of his exceptional leadership in spearheading new frontiers in the Courier and logistics industry.

An astute management professional with long and outstanding Sales and Marketing career with an accounting and finance background, he has consolidated the Red Star Express Group as the leading brand in the courier industry in the country.

Red Star Express under the leadership of Obabori has invested in new infrastructures to further actualize the objectives of the company in providing world class one-stop logistics solutions to both private and corporate clients. The company holds the franchise of two great brands in Nigeria. It is a licensee of FedEx, the world biggest air cargo logistics solution provider, and TNT, with Europe’s largest land connection.

Red Star restates commitment to service delivery after Abuja Airport closure

Nigeria’s foremost indigenous courier and logistics company, Red Star Express Plc has assured its clients and customers nationwide that the closure of the Abuja Airport will not affect its business.

Abuja is a major destination for all courier business. Most packages emanate from Lagos and other economic cities such as Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, Ibadan for next day delivery to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), while others transit through Abuja to core northern states. The FCT also generates a lot of traffic in terms of shipments going to other regions which makes the Abuja Airport very vital for smooth operations in the courier industry.

In an interview with the Assistant General Manager (AGM) Operations and Services, Mrs. Inemesit James-Okoro, she stated that Red Star Express has in place, modalities that ensure prompt deliveries of client’s packages anywhere in major cities across the country. She explained that apart from the option of land transportation, there are other air services to neighbouring cities around the FCT to facilitate early morning deliveries.

“We are out to provide Speed, reliability and ‘peace of mind’ for customers shipping in and out of the FCT during the closure of Abuja Airport as announced by the Federal Government” she stated.

Red Star Express Group is a premium logistics solution provider in Nigeria with an unrivalled local network coverage and a large market share in the domestic and international market. It enjoys a domestic strength of over 240 offices in Nigeria, delivers to additional 1,800 communities, with over 2,400 highly trained personnel and over 600 delivery vehicles in its fleet. The company has four business units including The Red Star Express which is a licensee of FedEx, the world’s largest express transportation company with over 650 aircrafts and more than 250 delivery destinations globally. FedEx has consistently been rated among the top 10 most admired companies in the world over the past 10 years. Red Star Express has four subsidiaries – Red StarFreight, Red Star Lo gistics and Red Star Support Services.

One Million Residents to receive Computer Coding training- Lagos State

The Lagos State Ministry of Education on Tuesday stated that, the much anticipated roll out of CodeLagos programme would seek to teach at least one million Lagos residents to code by 2019 and also foster necessary skills to create sustainable solutions to social challenges and create employment opportunities.

The government also announced the commencement of the screening and selection exercise for facilitators for the programme.

 In April 2017, three hundred (300) Coding Centers across six (6) Education Districts in Lagos State will be commissioned, marking the beginning of the CodeLagos after-school programme in both public and private schools – primary, secondary & tertiary. Centers will also be set up at State public libraries and other community spaces.

 Speaking at a press briefing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said that; “CodeLagos will not only cultivate a savvy workforce to drive our mega-city, but it will generate employment and business opportunities as we mobilize up to 1,500 facilitators in 2017 alone.”

 “CodeLagos is an initiative of the Lagos State Government which aims to teach one million Lagos residents to code by 2019. The program will foster necessary skills to create sustainable solutions to social challenges and create employment opportunities.”

Bank-Olemoh also underscored the commitment of the State Government, under the leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to position Lagos State as the technology frontier in Africa saying it was also in line with the Lagos Smart City initiative in partnership with Dubai Smart City.

 He said the application process, which is primarily online, entails a submission of bio-data and completion of a general assessment, while successful applicants will receive world-standard trainings on the necessary skills areas.

 “Qualifying candidates must be available to participate in all the required trainings which would be provided by the State in collaboration with private sector partners within the technology sector. They must also be willing to commit at least 12 hours weekly to facilitate CodeLagos courses at designated centers upon the launch of the initiative in April,” he said.

Emirates opens access to its premium lounges at Dubai International Airport

Emirates has launched an additional privilege to extend the usage of its luxury lounges at Dubai International Airport to its Loyalty Programme members and their guests at a minimal fee regardless of their class of travel. 

The pay-per-visit access will be available to Emirates Skywards members and their guests travelling on Emirates. Business Class travellers now also have the option to pay an upgrade fee to access the First Class lounges.

Dubai International Airport is home to seven Emirates lounges spread over three concourses - A, B and C. In each of the concourses there is a dedicated Emirates First Class and Business Class lounge. 

Eligible guests can access the Emirates Business Class lounges in Dubai for a fee of US$ 100 and the Emirates First Class lounges for a fee of US$ 200. Business Class customers can also upgrade to First Class lounge access for a fee of US$ 100. Guests who have paid a fee for entry can stay for up to four hours. 

Currently, First and Business Class customers as well as Silver, Gold and Platinum Skywards members receive complimentary access to the lounges in Dubai.

“Our premium lounges here at our hub in Dubai are some of the best in the world and we are pleased that more of our customers can now experience them. We made the decision to expand access to our lounges in Dubai based on our customer feedback, and after a careful review to ensure that the same quality experience can be maintained. We are pleased to see many of our customers appreciate the opportunity to be able to pay for their additional guests and access the lounge which enables them to enjoy a relaxing space and indulge in delicious meals before their flight,” said Adel Al Redha Emirates’ Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer.

All Emirates lounges have been designed with careful attention to detail, with elegant architectural features, stylish interior spaces, timber trellis work and bespoke furniture from Italy.

Emirates also continually invests to upgrade and refresh its lounge experience. The Emirates Business Class lounge in Concourse B recently underwent an US$ 11 million makeover. Besides a full range of gourmet cuisine - prepared on-site by Emirates Chefs – a complimentary full bar service, shower facilities, a health spa, wine cellar and a dedicated children’s play area, the newly refurbished lounge also features three distinct concept areas: a barista experience in partnership with Costa Coffee; a Health hub with Voss water featuring healthier food and beverage options; and an exclusive first-of-its-kind Moët & Chandon champagne lounge designed for Emirates, all of which are complimentary for guests.

The First Class lounges in Dubai are also a must-visit with a premium cigar lounge in Concourse A, a la carte dining and shoe shining services – all complimentary for guests once inside.

Emirates has the largest network of airport lounges worldwide. In addition to the seven in Dubai, there are 33 other dedicated Emirates Lounges in major airports across the globe. The airline has plans to extend pay-per-visit access to its outstation lounges in the future.