Lagos State Charge Lagosians to use the pedestrian Bridge

A footbridge (also called a pedestrian bridge, pedestrian overpass, or pedestrian overcrossing) is a bridge designed for pedestrians and in some cases cyclists, animal traffic, and horse riders, instead of vehicular traffic. Footbridges complement the landscape[citation needed] and can be used decoratively to visually link two distinct areas or to signal a transaction. In many developed countries, footbridges are both functional and can be beautiful works of art and sculpture. For poor rural communities in the developing world, a footbridge may be a community's only access to medical clinics, schools and markets, which would otherwise be unreachable when rivers are too high to cross. Simple suspension bridge designs have been developed to be sustainable and easily constructional in such rural areas using only local materials and labor.

An enclosed footbridge between two buildings is sometimes known as a skyway. Bridges providing for both pedestrians and cyclists are often referred to as greenbridges and form an important part of sustainable transport movement towards more sustainable[clarification needed] cities. Footbridges are often situated to allow pedestrians to cross water or railways in areas where there are no nearby roads to necessitate a road bridge. They are also located across roads to let pedestrians cross safely without slowing down the traffic.

As important as the advocacy campaign on the importance of the use of the bridge in Lagos State,Governor Akinwunmi Ambode charged Lagosians to be safety cautious and avoid crossing the highways like in areas like Ojota,Onipanu,Obanikoro and other bridges in Lagos .

The Enforced group (David Mode Securities)charged Lagosians to co-prate with them is creating safety and advocate on the importance of using the bridge.

MBC Group Chairman Waleed Al-Ibrahim “Personality Of The Year” Right from the heart of “Lynx Dubai” for creativity & innovation

Appreciating his role in shaping the media and advertising industry in MENA region…
During the annual world festival celebrated in Dubai under its 10th edition…
MBC Group Chairman Waleed Al-Ibrahim “Personality Of The Year”
Right from the heart of “Lynx Dubai” for creativity & innovation

Dubai, 9th March 2016: In the presence of over 1,800 executives and prominent personalities from the business, media, advertising, creative and communication industries in MENA region, the Dubai Lynx Festival, in its 10th edition, awarded “Personality Of The Year” award to MBC Group Chairman Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim, for his outstanding contribution and achievements in developing the media industry and enhancing the advertising scene in the MENA region.
The award comes as an appreciation of the constructive efforts of Al-Ibrahim in strengthening the links between leading international and local brands on the one hand, and consumers on the other hand through the various channels, platforms and services offered by MBC Group.
The award is further considered as a tribute to the role Al-Ibrahim played in outlining the media and advertising sectors in the region, through the provision of better media & entertainment experiences that live up to world class standards.
In a brief speech on the sidelines of the award ceremony, Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim praised the remarkable developments witnessed by the Dubai Lynx Festival, year after year, both in terms of the number of participants, and the positive echo and resonation it has created regionally and globally, which it enjoys today.
Al-Ibrahim stressed on the importance of the concept of “creativity & innovation” embodied in the festival, and its association with the vision and approach that reflects the majestic image of the city of Dubai, led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Al-Ibrahim considered the importance of “Personality Of The Year” comes at a time whereby we witness a cross-road and articulate period that requires us to reallocate our media priorities.
Therefore the challenge that remains ahead of us is in our ability to take advantage of the information and communication revolution, and harness it in building knowledge economies to further develop the media industry, promote the advertising industry and the commercial and consumer markets, and enable cultural movements within our societies.
Al-Ibrahim concluded: “I dedicate this award to everyone in both the advertising and communication industries in general, and MBC Group employees in specific, each in his/ her geographic location, that helped uplift our media work flow. And above all, this success wouldn’t have been achieved without our


strategic commercial partner, as there is no successful media without advertising partners and returns as well as sustainable commercial revenues”.
From his part, Terry Savage, Chairman, Dubai Lynx, said it had been both ‘an honor and privilege’ to recognize such a prominent and respected figure. “Over the course of 25 years, Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim, has been responsible for multiple, significant contributions to the development of the Media & Entertainment industry in the MENA region and we are delighted that we could celebrate this during the 10th edition of Dubai Lynx.”

Testimonials about Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim:
The award ceremony included a testimonial video promo from prominent CEO’s of major international and regional companies that focused on Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim’s role and mark in shaping the media and advertising sectors:


- Dr. Amina Al Rustamani, CEO, TECOM Business Parks: “I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to work closely with Sheikh Waleed Al-Ibrahim; he is a great mentor, and a teacher, and I definitely learnt a lot from him”.
- Yves Manghardt, Chairman & CEO Nestle Middle East FZE: “The difference between a dreamer and a visionary is that the dreamer has his eyes closed; the visionary has his eyes always open said Martin Luther King. The 2016 Advertising Person Of The Year is a true visionary; in fact, tele-visionary with his eyes always open”.
- Dani Richa, Chairman & CEO IMPACT BBDO: “Sheikh Waleed is the game changer; he changed news in our region to become more objective, transparent, and credible. Sheikh Waleed changed entertainment as the Arab world knows it, taking TV to new heights. I strongly believe that his vision has helped shape relationships between brands and consumers”.
- Mohamed Samir, President Procter & Gamble India, MEA & Africa: “Sheikh Waleed, since the start of MBC, has shown the vision for connecting with people, all across the Arab world in a friendly and high quality way”.
- Sanjiv Kakkar, Execuitve Vice President, Unilever MENA: “Over the years, MBC has truly democratized media across the Arab world, providing a cohesive force across the MENA region, serving to improve the quality of Arab performing arts and content across the region”.
- Akram Miknas, Chairman Promoseven Holdings: “We rose with MBC Group; we rose it to the world standard; today MBC can stand one-to-one with any international television station and can proudly and easily say we are as good if not better in many cases”.
- Raja Fares Trad, CEO Leo Burnett & Publicis Group MENA: “MBC Group’s impact on the lives of people, every second of the day, is a sticking example of how creative content and content marketing can positively affect consumers’ behavior”.
- Roy Haddad, Chairman WPP MENA: “What fascinated me at that time is his commitment to really redefine the media market in the Arab world, which he did; to change the upper cards in the region, which he did; and really force a media revolution. If there is anyone who deserves to be recognized by our industry is Sheikh Waleed”.
- Osman Sultan, CEO DU PJSC: “ For all this, for this achievement, not only we say to Sheikh Waleed how much we admire and appreciate what he did, but we tell him as well how much we love him, for what he is as a human being and how much we are grateful to him”.




- Edmond Moutran, Chairman & CEO Memac Ogilvy: “When you launched the station, I said hey, where is he gonna go? And he said to me, now that we have launched MBC, the sky is the limit. So here we are Sheikh Waleed, I’m on top of a building, and I am as close to the sky as I possibly
can; I think you are gonna go on, and the sky is going to be your limit all over again, so go on…build us a bigger empire Sheikh Waleed”.
- Pierre Choueiry, CEO & Chairman Choueiry Group: “Sheikh Waleed would be considered a visionary pioneer; to some, a creator; to some other, an outstanding entrepreneur; an exceptional leader and mentor; to me he really is all of the above; he definitely is my partner, but above all, he is my friend. Congratulations Sheikh Waleed, Advertising Man Of The Year, and of ALL years as far as I am concerned”.

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For additional information & images: www.dubailynx.com

Interview Paul Simms, Chairman eyeforpharma on healthcare in South Africa

"We want to bring disparate and entrenched parties together to create solutions for the betterment of South African healthcare"

PRESS RELEASE


Paul Simms is Chairman of eyeforpharma, an organisation famous for brokering pharma-government meetings across continents.

His interview with Africa Business Communities:

Please introduce eyeforpharma.

Our mission is to make pharma more open and valued. We do this not by working with individual pharma companies, but by bringing the industry together to hear and see the very best work being done, and to find new partnerships. This will raise the bar for everyone.

In which industries does eyeforpharma operate and who are its clients?

We operate all over the world, though we are now operating in Africa for the first time, which is exciting. Our customers are almost exclusively pharmaceutical executives and the other stakeholders which can advance pharma in getting the medicines/services to those who need them. Like all of us, however, our ultimate customer is the patient.

eyeforpharma is organizing its first conference in Africa in March 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. What is the objective of this conference?

Constructive collaboration! Above all else, we want to bring disparate and entrenched parties together to create solutions for the betterment of South African healthcare. Our research confirmed that the lack of communication and alignment between stakeholders has reached unprecedented levels, at a time when other countries are harmonizing and partnering for mutual benefit.

We go where our services are required. In 2014 and 2015 we received a surge of requests from local pharmaceutical executives who saw what we were doing in other parts of the world and recognized that an independent group like eyeforpharma could bring the parties together on neutral territory. We spoke to around 100 individuals to fine-tune the agenda and focus for the event: it became clear that all parties wanted to talk and make progress but felt unable to do so.

Is this a one-time event or is there a plan to establish a foothold in Africa?

As I mentioned, we go where our services are required. It comes down to the South African pharma industry whether we establish a base there. Of course, we hope to do so!

Why is this a good time to move into the African Market?

Because Africa has asked for us to come. We are not here for economic or political reasons.

Is South Africa a possible entry point into the African Market, or are there other countries of interest?

At the moment, we are focused only on South Africa because that is where we have seen the demand. We are, however, very open-minded about going elsewhere.

What is your opinion on the health sector in Africa, and how do you think eyeforpharma’s entry will be received?

Although eyeforpharma is headquartered in London, we have several South African staff on the team, including our Head of Operations Blair Gottscho. So we have long been aware of the historical and cultural issues which have brought the region to the position it is in today. Of course we don’t expect to have everything perfect on our first event, but the fundamental design of bringing the parties together with a progressive agenda on neutral territory and lots of free networking time is a very simple yet compelling one. So we are confident. We have no specific agenda other than to have a popular event which advances the pharmaceutical industry and public at large.

What, in your opinion, can be done by entrepreneurs and governments to improve the health sector in Africa?

The public and private sector need to be able to work together if we are to have a sustainable healthcare system. With high unemployment putting a strain on public healthcare finances, with fewer contributors to national health insurance, the private sector is required to step in - as long as it can be done in an honest, trustworthy and constructive way. I believe pharmaceutical managers are generally smart enough to prioritize public health for their own long-term business prospects in the region, and therefore that solutions are possible.

It starts with good dialogue and a concrete plan. We can help with that.

What can you say about the targets, plans and ambitions of eyeforpharma in 2016?

While we are a commercial organization, our reason for existence is to advance the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore I would personally like to see the industry become more trusted and valued by others, such that it becomes an important-decision maker in the future of local healthcare. Pharma companies still have so much unused expertise and untapped potential.



eyeforpharma, a business intelligence company headquartered in London, UK, organises its first conference in South Africa on March 8-9, Johannesburg.

Read all about the event
www.eyeforpharma.com/southafrica

www.eyeforpharma.com

Media inquiries:

To arrange interviews with the organisers or any of those participating at the conference, please contact Blair Gottscho on blair@eyeforpharma.com or +44 207 375 7594.

About the sender:

What do eyeforpharma do?
eyeforpharma provides a hub for senior-level pharma executives, patient advocacy groups and other health experts to exchange ideas and stay up-to-date with shifting trends and practices. We provide commentary, events, reports, and other valuable expert-driven content. We want to facilitate positive change through discussion and debate, enable dialogue and drive the positive benefits that pharmaceuticals can offer. We actively respond to the aims and interests of our audience, so please get in touch if you think we can do even more.

To meet key members of the team click here.

One of eyeforpharma's biggest strengths is to be able to gather opinion directly from industry executives themselves rather than the consultants and suppliers you see forming the majority of opinions in most pharmaceutical magazines. We leverage this to provide unique features and thought-leadership, across the world. Most of this is available on this website - just use the search box to find something specific. You can also contribute your own articles and blog. If you would like to get involved contact our Editor, Deirdre Coleman on dcoleman@eyeforpharma.com

Platinum Records and Jaguar Announce Strategic Partnership to Recognise and Support the Arab Music Industry

Platinum Records and Jaguar Announce Strategic Partnership to Recognise and Support the Arab Music Industry

Partnership to Kick Off with Star-Studded Gala under Jaguar’s Broader ‘The Art of Performance’ Platform

Dubai, 4th February 2016: Leading regional music entertainment company Platinum Records and premium automotive manufacturer Jaguar Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have today announced an exciting new strategic partnership to recognise and support all aspects of the Arab music industry. Launched under Jaguar’s ‘The Art of Performance’ platform, the collaboration will kick off with a star-studded gala which looks to be Platinum Record’s biggest concert yet.

Jaguar MENA launched ‘The Art of Performance’ in 2015 as a regional communications platform to identify, recognise and celebrate all types of art, craftsmanship, creativity and performance from across various industries in the dynamic Middle East region. The partnership with Platinum Records is the second regional initiative under the platform following Jaguar’s recently launched ‘Forward Thinkers’ film series featuring individuals from across the region who are progressive individuals and entrepreneurs in their fields.

‘The Art of Performance’ music event, set to take place later this month, will be the biggest in Platinum Record’s history in terms of both audio-visual and technical production, with attendance by leading Arab Artists, media, and the faces of MBC Group, the parent company of Platinum Records.

Commenting on the partnership, Head of Platinum Records Taymoor Marmarchi said: “This partnership with Jaguar Middle East and North Africa is testament to the support they are giving the Arab music scene, which we hope will continue into the future with upcoming Platinum Records activities. The first product of our tie up will be this gala event, the biggest in our company’s history, which will be held soon and will reveal a number of exciting surprises”.

The event will be streamed live from the red carpet, giving audiences the chance to be part of the action as it happens, including watching their favourite Arab music stars as they arrive and give interviews. Platinum Records stars including Ahlam and Mohammed Assaf will perform, with the surprise of the night being an official announcement that some of the region’s biggest stars are set to join the Platinum Records label.

Reiterating the importance of the strategic partnership, Salman Sultan, Press Media Relations and Social Media Manager at Jaguar Land Rover MENA, said: “We created ‘The Art of Performance’ as a way to both acknowledge and celebrate performance in the region that truly excites the senses and pushes past the limits of convention to become art. Music is a passion for many Arab audiences and is deeply intertwined in the culture of the region – our collaboration with Platinum Records will allow us to support the Arab music scene whilst inspiring the next generation of Arab musicians. We look forward to a long-term partnership with Platinum Records, with further captivating initiatives to be announced in due course.”
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About MBC Group
MBC Group (Middle East Broadcasting Center) is the largest and leading private media company in the Middle East & North Africa region. For the past 24 years, MBC Group was able to enrich people’s lives through information, interaction and entertainment. In 2002, nearly a decade after the launch of MBC1 in London, back in 1991, and as the 1st private free-to-air Arab satellite TV channel, MBC Group moved its headquarters to Dubai Media City, United Arab Emirates, where it remains.
Today, MBC Group includes 20 TV channels: MBC1 (general family entertainment); MBC2 and MBC MAX (24-hour western movies); MBC3 (children’s edutainment with a mix of both local productions and western acquisitions); MBC4 (entertainment for young families with a female-focus); MBC Action (an indigenous adrenaline-packed channel targeting young males with local and homegrown productions); MBC Variety (Western films and general entertainment with uninterrupted broadcasting); Al Arabiya News Channel (the 24-hour Arabic language news channel); Al Hadath (an extension of Al Arabiya News Channel with a specific focus on real events in the Arab world and beyond); Wanasah (24-hour Arabic music channel); MBC DRAMA (24/7 Arabic drama); MBC MASR (general family entertainment geared towards the Egyptian family); MBC MASR 2 (providing the Egyptian audience with superior quality entertainment); MBC + Drama (a joint paid-for channel between MBC and OSN); MBC Bollywood (delivering the freshest in Bollywood content geared towards the region via an Arabized interface); and most recently four sports channels, MBC PRO SPORTS (geared towards the “Saudi Football Premier League” fans in the Kingdom); and MBC USA (the channel is present on “Dish Network” in the US, and targets Arab audiences aboard; the channel is dedicated to offer and broadcast a wide range of content from the prominent MBC channels including movies, series and global formats).
In July 2011, seven channels within MBC Group began to broadcast in HD across the MENA Region: MBC1 HD, MBC2 HD, MBC4 HD, MBC Action HD, MBC Drama HD, MBC Max HD and Al Arabiya HD. In 2013, MBC3 HD joined the collection of HD channels followed by MBC Variety HD in 2014.
MBC Group also includes two FM radio stations: MBC FM (Gulf music) and Panorama FM (contemporary Arabic hit music); as well as O3 Productions, a premium content drama production company. Furthermore, MBC Group includes online platforms: www.mbc.net, www.alarabiya.net, www.shahid.net (the first free VOD and catch-up portal in the Arab world) and www.actionha.net, and www.mbcprosports.net among others.

For further information, please contact:
Ruba Al Ayed
MBC Group
Sr. Group PR Manager
Mobile: +971 56 6038358
Email; ruba.alayed@mbc.net
Website: www.mbc.net

GTBank announces GTCrea8 Mini Cooper winner

Foremost financial institution, GTBank has restated its commitment to continue investing in both the academic and social well being on Nigerian university undergraduates, as it unveils the latest Mini Cooper winner. Hassan Jamiu Olawale who emerged winner of the 3rd Season of the GTCrea8 Mini Cooper giveaway special.

At the events draw which held recently at the GTBank head office. Hassan Jamiu Olawale, a model and student of Kwara State University became the proud owner of a brand new Mini Cooper car.

Since the launch of the campaign, two lucky GTCrea8 customers have been rewarded with a brand new mini cooper car. In 2013, Shalom Wigwe Elisha – a 2nd year student of medicine at the University of Lagos became the very first recipient of the prestigious car. Maryam Adebiyi – a student of Lagos state Polytechnic was the next to win the car in 2014.

The aim of this Giveaway Mini Cooper giveaway is to appreciate and encourage GTcrea8 eSavers account holders in Nigeria and diaspora. The initiative also seeks to inspire young people to cultivate the habit of saving. Last year, millions of undergraduates from across Nigeria took part in this annual campus activation.

In a chat session with this season’s winner, elated Olawale revealed "I come from a family of four and currently a student at Kwara State University, department of Banking and Finance. I am a model (MR. KWARA INT'L CHARISMATIC 2015). I do not have much hobbies but I pride myself at solving problems around me especially business related puzzles. One of my recent business solutions is ICHOPPY a feeding app for students. The other is called SALUBATA a model invention of the past

"I heard about gtcrea8 from sources that include newspapers, online browsing and most especially there was a time I had issues with buying goods online. These made me go to my bank (GTBank) to enlightening me more about Internet transactions”.

"The GTCrea8 account has come in very handy in many and different forms. Fashion and style has been my tool to get people to listen to what I have to say when it comes to my ideas and business motives. Since most of my shopping is done online the GTcrea8 acct has made it very easy and fast indeed, therefore creating a seamless experience for me every time I shop, it usefulness can therefore not be overemphasized."

The GTCrea8 account is a trendy, card-based interest bearing account designed especially for undergraduates. It is part of the Bank’s value proposition to deliver banking in a different way to young people by engaging them with fun, exciting and interactive activities such as musical Campus Storms and master classes which resonates with their unique demographics. This year account holders of GTcrea8 account can look forward to yet another exciting season of the mini cooper giveaway as the Bank is set to commence the 4th edition

All is set for the World's biggest Communication Forum in Davos Switzerland from 8-9 March, 2016

All set for World's biggest Communication Forum in Davos Switzerland
All is set for the World's biggest Communication Forum in Davos Switzerland from 8-9 March, 2016. Communication professionals, CEOs, representatives of ministries, global media practitioners and some of the world's most influential PR and marketing communications personalities will get together to discuss the key trends in the field of global communications at the WCF Forum in Davos Switzerland.

The programme provides a diversified content and publicity opportunities for experts with out-of-the-box vision for the future of the industry. The participants will find out how to add meaning, integrate interests, how to engage the globe with city storytelling, how to manage crisis periods on the social media, and much more.

The focus of this year’s edition of the forum will be on the global communication agenda. WCF-Davos’2016 includes a number of presently relevant/ controversial topics, among which are: Country Branding, Communications in the Arab world, Communicating Inter-Governmental Brands, Education in Communications, Global Tourism industry in the age of Communications. From digital evolution to robot revolution – humanity, communications, ethics, Quantity or Quality- What is your social media top priority? Revolutionizing Communications and How to be prepared for the future

Among the speakers and moderators of the plenary panels are leading experts, such as:
Mustapha Khalfi, Minister of Communications and Spokesperson of the Government of Morocco, Scott Fahlman, Research Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, also known as “Father” of the smiley emoticon, Tanuja Kehar, Vice President Corporate Communications at Unitech in India, Solly Moeng, Managing Director of Don Valley in Soth Africa, Kate Thompson-Duwe, Managing Director of Amplicon Group in South Africa, Sean Gardner, co-Founder of the pioneering Huffington Post "Twitter Powerhouses Series", Don Anderson, Chairman and co-Founder of the Asia Content Marketing Association and Regional Managing Director of We Are Social in Singapore, Saurabh Uboweja, Founder, CEO & Director Brand Strategy at Brands of Desire.


Traditionally, WCFDavos holds the Communications for Future (C4F) Davos Award. However, this time it offers up to 23 categories for recognition of remarkable creativity and unique vision of the future of communications, in two major groups of awards: Personal (individual communicators with a strong influence on global communications) and Corporate (companies setting the standards for effectiveness & professionalism).

Mustapha Khalfi, Minister of Communications of Morocco, stated that, “I have no doubt that the World Communication Forum is assured of its place in the history as a platform where new solutions for an exciting new world are being shaped”.
Paul Holmes, the PR industry guru worldwide and Founder of the Holmes Report, added: “No idea how they did it, but in just a few years the organizers have created the most lively, engaging and influential event in the industry. This forum is an absolute phenomenon!”

On March 8 and 9, parallel with the main forum, a session will be held for the first time, focused on global education in communications. WCFDavos | GlobEdu is intended for students and young communication professionals. During the two-day training session, participants will be grouped into several teams of 5 students and a senior university representative as a leader, with a real case study being assigned to each team. At the end of the training, a jury will evaluate and acknowledge the most effective strategy for dealing with the assignments.


WCFDavos 2016 is supported by exclusive partner agencies from all over the world: M3 Communications (Bulgaria), Kaiser Communication (Germany), Capital Communications (Hungary), CROS (Russia), Grou-AGAMA (Ukraine), Don Valley (South Africa), SPEM Communications (Slovenia), Manifesto Communications (Turkey), Cyber Gear (UAE), RADA Research & PR (Egypt), First House (Norway, DonValley (South Africa), Cyber Gear (UAE), Competence (Italy), The Story (Poland), JSP Communications (Nigeria), Depot WPF (Russia), Armenian Public Relations Association (APRA), PR Hub, The Place Brand Observer, PR Newswire, Sostav.ru , Facemark, LifeInterMidia and China International Public Relations Association (CIPRA)
The World Communication Forum in Davos (#WCFDavos) was inaugurated as an annual global professional event back in 2010. Since then, it has been traditionally held at the Davos Congress Centre in Switzerland as a platform for open dialogue between leading experts in the field of social, political and business communication. The Forum has become a respected international platform and the basis for formation of a global professional community that marks and creates key trends within the industry. The 6 editions have summoned managers from over 55 countries, across 5 continents, representing a variety of businesses.
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About WCF Davos. WCF is an annual global event held at the Davos Congress Centre in Switzerland. Initiated by an International Coordinating Committee in 2010, it has united a great number of acknowledged professionals from 55 countries worldwide. Since its third annual edition in Davos, WCF has started expanding its global professional community with regional sessions held in some of the largest cultural centers and business capitals across Europe and Asia. The two-day conference covers the latest trendy areas and issues and outlines future tendencies in the global communications industry.

For more information: www.forumdavos.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WorldCommForumDavos
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/WorldCommForum
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/forumdavoscom
Contact:
Valentina Atanasova, Project Manager of the World Communication Forum in Davos
Comms with Speakers & Committee, Partnerships, Website content, SM, PR
Mobile: (+359) 884435044, Skype: ataval.bg