In a bid to restore order and professionalism to the outdoor advertising landscape, the Rivers State Signage and Advertisement Agency (RISAA) has advised outdoor professionals and owners of billboards and signage in the state to register with the agency before November 30, 2016.
Established by an enactment of the Rivers State House of Assembly, RISAA is empowered to regulate and control outdoor structures for the display of signage, hoarding and advertisement in Rivers State. It issues licenses and permits for the construction and placement of outdoor hoarding, billboards and signage structures in any part of the state, and controls the number, size and locations of these structures.
According to Mr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, acting managing director of RISSA, every outdoor structure owned by an operator (corporate or non-corporate) must be registered by its owner. Such owners shall provide registration number as a reference with application for a permit.
He further said any unregistered structure is classified as illegal and shall be removed after a notice on the structure and for a period not exceeding a period of 15 days in the first instance and 15 days afterwards, a total of 30 days in all.
Dimkpa added that, by the provisions of the law establishing the agency, it is unlawful for any person or group to erect, construct, enlarge or structurally modify any outdoor structure or operate any structure for signage development without being registered by RISAA. Owners and operators of existing structures shall obtain, complete and submit the prescribed registration form with the agency and apply for a permit.
He warned that the cost of removing such structures shall be borne by the offending outdoor operator, and the dismantled structure impounded until all cost incurred by the agency are paid up, including a demurrage that begins to count five working days after the illegal structure is removed by the agency.
Meanwhile sectorial practitioners, industry watchers and stakeholders have applauded the initiative by RISAA. They believe the new mandate will ensure standards and compliment government efforts towards urban renewal and civic beatification. Observers also hope RISSA will redress the existing practices of billboard clutter, illegal structures, fallen and dilapidated boards and other unwholesome activities leading to poor civic environment.
Oral-B rewards customers with cash, gifts in 5th anniverary promo
‘Five nillion households reached in 5 years’
Oral-B, a leading brand in the oral hygiene products category, has launched a nationwide promotion to reward its consumers for their loyalty.
The promotion, an effort by the P&G brand to mark its fifth anniversary in the Nigerian market, will run from October to December 2016 and give consumers who purchase a pack of Oral-B Pro-Health toothpaste within the period a chance to win instant prizes, ranging from airtime to dental products and cash prizes from N10,000 to N300,000.
As part of the promotion, Oral-B will visit various communities in Nigeria to provide free dental checks through the Oral-B mobile dental clinic programme, the oral care brand said.
Speaking during the media launch of the promotion recently, Tolulope Adedeji, brand marketing director, P&G Nigeria, said: “Oral-B has reached more than five million households since we launched in Nigeria five years ago. We are celebrating this milestone with a consumer promotion and mobile dental outreach as a mark of appreciation and celebration of our teeming customers.
“The essence of the promotion is to celebrate and reward Oral-B consumers across the country. At Procter & Gamble, it is our purpose to touch and improve the lives of customers with our brands. We will be rewarding as many winners as possible in the weekly and monthly draws as well as the grand draw of the Oral-B National Consumer Promotion.
“Four winners will get N200,000 and one mixed case of Oral-B each at the end of the first and second months. The grand prize winner will get N300,000 and two mixed cases of Oral-B at the end of the promotion. In addition to the monthly and grand prizes, we will be giving out cash prizes weekly as well as daily airtime to winners.”
The marketing director also restated the brand’s dedication to improving the oral health of all Nigerians through its mobile dental clinic, noting that many people in the country have poor oral hygiene.
Adedeji said, “A large number of Nigerians do not go for dental checkups nor use the right toothpaste with the right toothbrush and the Oral-B mobile dental clinic programme will provide the opportunity for our customers to enjoy free dental health checks and oral advisory by our accredited dentists across various communities in the country.”
Similarly, Ifeoma Chuks-Adizue, brand manager for Oral-B, expressed the commitment of the brand in ensuring that people have a healthy oral experience.
She stated that the introduction of the product was driven by the need to have an all-round toothpaste that offered protection, in a market saturated with basic fresh breath products.
Explaining how the promo works, she said winning is simple. Participants only need to purchase a pack of Oral-B Pro-Health toothpaste and send the codes on the tube along with their names and locations to the short code. Responses will be sent for entry into the draws.
She also encouraged customers to take advantage of the brand’s Facebook fan page for more information about the promo.
The brand, over the past five years, has sponsored and partnered with government and private institutions to support the oral hygiene of the average Nigerian. Oral-B has also received awards and recognition as a quality toothpaste in Nigeria.
The brand which currently reaches over two million consumers annually has touched five million Nigerian households since 2011, when it came into the country.
Huawei rises to No.72 on Interbrand’s best global brands report
Global smartphone company, Huawei, has ranked 72 on the Interbrand’s 2016 Best Global Brands report, moving up 16 spots from its ranking in 2015.
This is the second consecutive year Huawei has risen on Interbrand’s list since the company became the first Mainland China brand to be recognised as a Best Global Brand in 2014.
According to Interbrand, “Huawei is once again a highlight in the 2016 Best Global Brands report. Its brand value, increased by 18 per cent compared to a year ago.”
In Interbrand’s annual report, Huawei was also one of the fastest growing brands in the technology sector, climbing from 88 to 72 in ranking.
Huawei’s consumer business group has maintained steady global growth. Its flagship products, such as the P9, Mate 8 smartphones, as well as the MateBook, Huawei’s first 2-in-1 laptop, have all seen significant adoption by consumers around the world.
Huawei has become one of the top device brands in nearly 30 countries. The MateBook is now available in dozens of countries, and Huawei shipped 108 million smartphones in 2015, surpassing the 100 million benchmark for the first time. Strong growth in shipment forecasts through 2021 is also reinforcing the company’s position as a leading global smartphone brand.
Commenting on the new development, Mr. Leo Jiang, managing director, devices,Huawei Nigeria, said: “We are very proud of this achievement especially with our improved ranking because it shows us that people all around the world are recognising Huawei for being able to produce uniquely distinct and brilliant devices, and increases our zeal to continue innovating and providing customers with unmatched user experience.”
As a leading technology company, Huawei earmarks more than 10 per cent of its annual revenue to research and development efforts, and has established 16 research centres around the world. Among these facilities is the innovation and experience centre in Nigeria, where consumers can witness global best practice, share ideas, and explore business solutions through innovation.
The company is also leading development of cutting-edge technologies such as 5G network for smartphones.
Through its continued innovation and non-compromise on quality, Huawei illustrates how innovative products, services and solutions help customers do more.