Chairman & CEO, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; WIMBIZ Chairperson, Aisha Ahmad; CEO, Bestman Games, Nimi Akinkugbe; The president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Aigboje Aig-Imokhuede; and Genevieve Magazine publisher Betty Irabor, are just some of an impressive array of Nigerian influential business leaders who have lauded The Smart Money Woman, the debut fictional novel from personal finance and financial literacy expert, Arese Ugwu. The book is a refreshing blend of entertaining chick-lit with sound financial literacy basics advice, written to entertain as well as educate.

The Smart Money Woman details the journey of Zuri, a smart, well-educated and well-employed young woman who has spent her way into a financial bind and needs to take control of her life to work her way to financial freedom. With each chapter comes a Smart Money Lesson, a guide to help readers work their way up the financial ladder as they follow Zuri on her path to restoration.

According to Dangote, The Smart Money Woman, is “an entertaining way to learn about money, ushering in a new narrative, specifically of the African woman in the 21st century,” while Ahmad said the book provides a “practical, no-holds-barred guide to building wealth for the 21st century African woman.” Aig-Imokhuede also commended the novel’s unique perspective saying it was, “A journey through personal finance written from a truly African context by a gifted young woman who seeks to reposition and redefine the way we think about the subject.”

Irabor praised the message of the book, saying it “addresses the issue of money management in a way every woman can relate to.” Akinkugbe, who wrote the foreword, describes the manuscript as a “unique combination of a light-hearted fictional novel in Arese’s compelling and engaging style, filled with familiar, vivid characters, accompanied by serious smart money lessons.” Bolanle Austen-Peters, Producer & Director, Terra Kulture and BAP Productions called it “Unprecedented,” while Tara Fela-Durotoye, Founder, House of Tara extolled the book for its “great storytelling and strong message.”
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A witty, insightful take on life, money, and culture for the new age African middleclass woman, the book also tackles the thorny issues surrounding spending behaviour, debt, the consumerist culture of the African middle class, money, love, friendships, cultural and societal pressures, and the roles that they all play in a woman’s struggle for success.

Unveiling the teaser on her Instagram page @smartmoneyarese, the author shared with her followers why she decided to write the book. “I basically read two types of books—stories about the modern woman and business books—and the smart money woman is a blend of both. It follows the personal finance journeys of Zuri and her friends and gives smart money lessons at the end of each chapter.”

‎The Smart Money Woman is set to be released online on Amazon, in bookshops, supermarkets and other retailers this August.

L-R: Corporate Affairs Adviser, NB Plc, Kufre Ekanem; Judge, Chukwuma Onye; Marketing Director, NB Plc, Franco Maria Maggi; Judge, Muyiwa Osinaike; Portfolio Manager Non Alcoholic Brands, NB Plc, Yinka Bakare at the Maltina Dance Season 9 Media parley in Lagos.

Maltina, the premium non-alcoholic malt drink has announced the return of its number one Nigerian family dance show, Maltina Dance All Season 9. The announcement was made at a media parley event on Wednesday 3 August, 2016 at the company’s office in Lagos.

With Season 9 themed ‘Happiness Amplified’, Maltina, famous for sharing happiness and promoting family values, promised that the activities and dance routines lined up for this season will heighten the excitement and happiness shared by competing families and viewers of the dance show. According to Mr. Franco Maria Maggi, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, “Maltina Dance All provides a platform for sharing happiness, promoting family values and bonding. The lives of various families have been positively affected through this platform.”

Mr. Maggi stated that the previous editions utilized the regional auditions format and that the brand received feedback that several families were unable to participate in those auditions due to travel constraints. This year the brand chose the online auditions format to make the dance show more accessible and give families the opportunity to submit entries for the 2016 Maltina Dance All from the comfort of their homes by making a short dance video and simply uploading the video on the website.

The show’s innovative format this season will allow interested families to participate by submitting their dance videos from all across Nigeria on the Maltina Dance All website (www.maltinadanceall.tv).

“Maltina Dance All is one of the platforms through which the brand connects with, and allow consumers heighten their interactions to share happiness,” said Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc. “The show through its creative and diverse dance routines brings incredible energy, excitement, and fun for competing families and fans. We can’t wait to see what season 9 will bring.”

At the end of Season 9, the winning family will be rewarded with a grand prize of N10 million, while the first and second runners up will receive N3 million and N1 million respectively.

Video submission entries for online audition is on-going and will end on August 19th, 2016 on www.maltinadanceall.tv.

Watch how to submit video for Maltina Dance All Season 9 HERE:

Facebook has successfully carried out the first test flight of Aquila, an unmanned solar powered airplane to bring affordable internet to millions of people in remote communities.

When complete, Aquila will be able to circle a region up to 60 miles in diameter, beaming internet connectivity down from an altitude of more than 60,000 feet using laser communications and millimetre wave systems. Aquila is designed to fly for up to three months at a time.

The aircraft has the wingspan of an airplane, but at cruising speed it will consume only 5,000 watts, the same amount as three hair dryers, or a high-end microwave. Facebook has flown a 1/5th-scale version of Aquila for several months, but this was the first flight of the full-scale aircraft.

This test flight was designed to verify the operational models and overall aircraft design. To prove out the full capacity of the design, Facebook will push Aquila to the limits in a lengthy series of tests in the coming months and years.

This milestone is as a result of accelerated efforts to bring internet connectivity to the four billion people around the world who are not yet online, and also with the goal of contributing to prosperity, progress and development around the globe.

Internet access can offer life-changing opportunities, information, and experiences, but 1.6 billion people today live in remote locations with no access to mobile broadband networks. Facebook is building new technologies like Aquila to help address this challenge.

Facebook’s mission is to connect the world and with its growing team of aerospace, optical physics, RF communications and other world experts, and existing relationships with the technology community, telecommunication companies, governments, and communities that use Facebook, the company is uniquely positioned to do this work.

To date, Facebook’s connectivity efforts, which include initiatives like Free Basics, are estimated to have brought more than 25 million people online who wouldn’t be otherwise.

The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) is set to launch Untold Facts, a ground breaking discussion series focusing on sexual health and rights in Nigeria. The show will clarify myths and clear up misconceptions around sexual orientation and gender identity.

Hosted by Moses Omoghena, Untold Facts will kick off on June 30, 2016 and will air every last Thursday of the month at 7pm on YouTube @TIERsNigeria. Viewers can also join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #UntoldFacts. Watch the movie trailer HERE

Nigerian Breweries Plc, the largest brewing company in Nigeria, has announced leading musician and highlife exponent, Flavour N’abania as brand ambassador for the leading South-east beer brand, Life Continental Beer.

The brand which has been for years the beer of preference for the Igbo man, made this choice to further reinforce its commitment to the heritage, essence, connection and affinity with the people of South-east.

“We are excited to announce today, that Flavour has joined the Life Continental Beer family as brand ambassador. Flavour, who is known globally for his unique ability to sing fluently in the Igbo language, strongly represents what the brand stands for,” said Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc., while speaking at a press conference organised to unveil the partnership. “This partnership underscores the brand’s dedication to the Igbo values of industry, resourcefulness and enterprise- values which Flavour aptly embodies. Just as Life Continental Beer defines the Igbo in every consumer, Flavour exudes the aura which exemplifies the typical Igbo man.”

Flavour expressed his excitement as brand ambassador saying: “For me, joining the Life Continental beer team feels like I have found my way back home. The brand has always been a symbol of the Igbo heritage. If you go anywhere and you hear Life Continental Beer, at once, the Igbo man and his entrepreneurial spirit comes to mind. I’m very proud to be associated with a beer I can finally call my own, a beer that pushes the frontiers of progress”

The deal which was signed at the Nigerian Breweries Plc corporate head office in Lagos is to run for two years during which Flavour will appear in Life Continental Beer advertising and marketing campaigns. He will also feature in the brand’s online assets and make special appearances at events.

Life Continental Beer pioneered regional brewing in Nigeria and has maintained leadership in the South-east region’s booming market for decades.

The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) and Asurf Films Limited hosted an exclusive premiere for their highly anticipated short film ‘Hell or High Water’ today, Sunday, 5 June, 2016 at Genesis Deluxe Cinema, The Palms, Lekki, Lagos.

The evening which was a mix of music, cocktails and movie screening, had Wole Ojo, Enyinna Nwigwe, Tope Oshin, Oscar Oyinsan, Daniel K Daniel, Denrele Edun, Bolanle Olukanni, Ashionye Raccah, Shade Ladipo, Ifeanyi Dike and others in attendance.

Watch the movie trailer HERE

Julius Agwu, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Gideon Okeke, others enjoy the UCL Final at the #HeinekenHouseLagos

The highly anticipated final match of the 2015/2016 UEFA Champions League saw an array of celebrities and invited guests enjoying the premium match viewing experience the Heineken House Lagos offers.

In its tradition, the Heineken House treated football fans to a VVIP UCL experience in a world class Heineken® atmosphere as they watched Real Madrid beat rivals Atletico Madrid to claim the cup.

Celebrities including Julius Agwu, Gideon Okeke, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi and Cool FM’s Dotun joined other football fans to #ChampionTheMatch at the House.

“Heineken, now in its 11th consecutive year of UCL sponsorship is focused on redefining match viewing experiences for its consumers,” said Ngozi Nkwoji, Senior Brand Manager, Heineken Nigeria. “The Heineken House is here to provide guests with an environment where they can #ChampionTheMatch alongside other football fans while enjoying free food and bottles of Heineken.”

The match was followed by an after party with music provided by Mavin Records’ official music disc jockey, DJ Big N. Guests were also treated to unique face art and body painting.

Heineken House Lagos, a premium facility for the entertainment of UEFA Champions League fans, is the first of its kind in Africa.