Brands/Products
Court Adjourns Rite Foods Vs NBC Suit to September 22
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The contempt proceedings suit filed by Rite Foods Limited against the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) and its managing director, Mr Mathieu Seguin, at the Federal High Court, Lagos has been adjourned to September 22, 2021.
The matter came up for the first time on July 12, 2021, before Justice Allagoa but the counsel to Rite Foods, Mr Muyiwa Ogungbenro, urged the court to fix another date for the hearing of all pending applications.
He explained that the reason for the request was because there were several applications before the court that Rite Foods needed more time to respond to.
This prayer was not objected to by counsels to the NBC, Mr Marki Mordi, and the MD of NBC, Mr Opasanya (SAN).
During proceedings, Mr Ogungbenro informed the judge that he observed that the NBC and its MD were not in court, emphasising that by judicial authorities, they are required to be in court throughout the proceedings. He asked the court to emphasize to NBC and Mr Seguin’s counsel need to have their clients in court.
In response, Mr Seguin’s counsel argued that his client would be in court at the appropriate time and that his presence was not required when he is challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
But Justice Allagoa pointed out to Mr Opasanya that his client should always be in court even when he is challenging the court’s jurisdiction and Mr Opasanya later apologized for his client’s absence.
On his part, Mr Mordi apologised for his client’s absence, stating that his client was not served with the relevant court forms for the contempt proceedings.
The contempt proceeding is an offshoot of a claim filed by Rite Foods alleging passing-off by NBC of its Fearless energy drinks.
In the claim, which is before Justice Aneke, Rite Foods obtained interim injunctions against NBC to stop NBC from advertising or promoting its Predator energy drink in a manner that is capable of infringing on its Fearless energy drink.
Rite Foods alleged that NBC has disobeyed the interim injunctions. By the contempt proceedings, Rite Foods is seeking orders committing NBC’s managing director to prison until NBC obeys the injunctions.
It will be recalled that the passing-off contention came to light sometime in March, in Form 48, and in Suit No: PHC/L/CS/92/2021, at the Federal High Court, Lagos, published on Friday, March 19, 2021, in ThisDay and Guardian Newspapers, where Rite Foods alleged that NBC has infringed on its trademark with its Predator energy drink, which has adopted a lion insignia in resemblance of the mark on its Rite Foods’ Fearless energy drinks brand, which has been using and trading with the lion imagery three years before the NBC’s Predator came into the market.
The report also contained a notice of consequences of disobedience of court order issued to NBC’s MD, Mathieu Seguin, and an ex parte order restraining the company from promoting or using any sales promotion material for its Predator energy drink in a manner that infringes or passes off or that is capable of infringing or passing off the plaintiff’s Fearless energy drink until the interlocutory application for an injunction is determined.
The case centred on Fearless energy drink which was introduced into the Nigerian market in 2017 and the Predator energy drink, a product of NBC which was introduced into the market in 2020.
It is the contention of Rite Foods Ltd, the makers of Fearless energy drink that its product, Fearless trademark is being passed-off by Predator, a product of NBC.
By Adedapo Adesanya
International Workplace Group (IWG), the world’s largest provider of hybrid working solutions with notable brands like Spaces and Regus, is opening two state-of-the-art flexible workspaces in Lagos to meet the rising demand.
The addition of IWG’s latest locations, HQ Lagos Lekki Link Bridge and Regus Lagos Mansard Place, followed the business posting its highest-ever revenue, cashflow and earnings growth in its history and achieving rapid network growth, signing 465 new locations in the first half of 2024 alone.
According to the company, the adoption of hybrid working rapidly is accelerating across Nigeria and these new locations in Lagos are part of the drive by IWG to meet the sharply rising demand for top-class flexible working space in the area.
Its unique offering will enable local people to experience living in a “15-minute” city, allowing workers to work close to their homes without commuting far from where they live.
The HQ workspace is set to open in Lekki in March 2025 and will It will be located on the 2nd and 3rd floor while the Regus location at Mansard Place (situated at Plot 928, Bishop Aboyade Cole Street, Victoria Island) will be on the 3rd floor of the six storey building and will open in February 2025.
The buildings will provide space for established firms and start-ups across a range of industries, while IWG’s Design Your Own Office service allows companies to tailor their space entirely to their requirements. The new locations will include facilities including private offices, meeting rooms, co-working and creative spaces.
With explosive market growth as companies of all sizes adopt hybrid working for the long-term, it is predicted that 30 per cent of all commercial real estate will be flexible workspace by 2030 and IWG believes that partners will be able to capitalise on this fast-growing sector,
The potential for further growth is exponential with an estimated 1.2 billion white collar workers globally and a total addressable market of more than £1.57 trillion. Conventional office occupancy will continue to fall as businesses require less traditional space and turn to flexible workspace instead.
Last year alone, IWG welcomed over 800 new partner locations and counts 83 per cent of Fortune 500 companies among its customer base.
Speaking on this, Mr Mark Dixon, CEO & Founder of International Workplace Group Plc, commented: “We are establishing a stronger and much-needed footprint in Nigeria with this these latest openings.
“As an important business hub Lagos is a fantastic place for us to boost our expansion plans. The need for high-quality flexible workspaces continues to soar as hybrid working becomes the new normal.
“We are very pleased to work in partnership with Sterling Bank and APD Mansard Place to develop the brand under a management agreement that will add a cutting-edge workspaces to their the buildings.
“Our openings in Lagos comes at a time when more and more companies are discovering that flexible working boosts employee happiness and satisfaction, while helping the environment. Our workplace model is also proven to increase productivity and allows for a business to scale up or down at significantly reduced costs.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Another award has been added to the shelves of Airtel Nigeria for the quality service it offers its numerous subscribers.
At the 14th Nigerian NewsDirect Awards held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel on Friday, December 6, 2024, the company went home with the Most Preferred and Admired Telecommunications Brand award.
The chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, thanked the news platform for the recognition, reiterating the dedication of the organisation towards the growth of Nigeria.
“At Airtel, we remain steadfast in our mission to enrich lives and contribute to the sustainable growth of our nation, and we are proud to receive this award as the Most Preferred and Admired Telecommunications Brand.
“This recognition reaffirms our commitment to connecting Nigerians, driving digital inclusion, and empowering communities through innovative solutions,” he said.
The ceremony, themed Achieving Economic Prosperity: The Role of Human Capacity Development, Fiscal Prudence, and Revenue Generation, celebrated outstanding contributions made by individuals and corporate organisations to national development across sectors and industries.
The chairman of Odu’a Investment Limited, Mr Bimbo Ashiru, thanked all participating entities for their “continuous contributions and support to the nation’s growth.”
“You have demonstrated excellence and have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s progress and we believe this platform will continue to highlight and encourage best practices across industries,” he stated.
The event attracted several persons, including the chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr Ayodele Subair; and the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr Hussaini Ishaq Magaji; among others.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The second edition of the Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival held on December 1, 2024, received the backing of Rite Foods Limited.
It was a platform for young entrepreneurs, food vendors, and entertainers to showcase their talents and promote the rich cultural heritage of Oyo State in particular, and Nigeria in general.
Rite Foods used the event to foster growth and innovation among enterprising youths in society in demonstration of its commitment to youth empowerment and community engagement.
The Corporate Communications Manager at Rite Foods, Mr Innocent Adulugba, said, “As a manufacturing company driven by innovation, Rite Foods Limited believes in the power of young people and the importance of providing platforms that enable them to showcase their skills and talents.”
“The Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival aligns with our mission to inspire, support, and add value to talents and entrepreneurs across Nigeria,” he added.
“Rite Foods Limited recognizes the Ibadan Chops and Chills Festival as a platform for growth and that is why the company is here today to leverage support so the participating food exhibitors can benefit via joint marketing efforts, co-promotions, and expanded distribution channels under one roof,” Mr Adulugba stated.
“We are partnering with food vendors to offer consumers a more comprehensive and enjoyable experience, such as pairing beverages like Bigi, Sosa or Fearless with complementary food options of their choice,” he noted.
Also speaking, the convener of the programme, Ms Chinwendu Festus of Wendy’s Kitchen, said, “The first edition of Ibadan Chops and Chills was a success, which inspired us to aim higher this year.
“Our goal is to provide young people with the space to showcase their culinary talents, grow their businesses, and connect with a broader audience.”
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Ms Wasilat Adefemi Adegoke, stated, “This initiative is one of the best I have seen. It aligns perfectly with our administration’s goals of empowering the youth, promoting cultural heritage, and fostering talent.”
It was gathered that the festival featured cooking competitions, entertainment shows, guest tours and vendor exhibitions, which highlighted the diversity and ingenuity of participants and the diversity of food options on display.
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