Brands/Products
Oluwatoyin Obafemi Wins 9mobile Photography Competition
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A female contestant in the 2018 edition of the 9mobile Photography Competition themed 9ja: My Grind, My Hustle has emerged winner of the contest.
The winner, Oluwatoyin Christiana Obafemi, was adjudged the best by a panel of judges for her image titled My Passion, My Strength. The judges included creative photographer, Kola Oshalusi; documentary photographer, Bernard Kalu; and award-winning photo-journalist, Aisha Augie-Kuta.
She beat Bambi Daniel and Ayodeji Ogunro, who were announced as runners-up for the Photography Competition with their images, Female Barber and The Wind respectively.
During a prize presentation ceremony held on Thursday, December 6 at 9mobile’s office in Banana Island, Lagos, Obafemi received a brand-new Canon camera for emerging the most outstanding shutterbug in the talent development initiative aimed to engage and empower budding photographers using the power of digital media.
Congratulating the winner and the runners-up, the Director of Brands and Experience at 9mobile, Mr Elvis Ogiemwanye, said their images were amazing interpretations of the theme 9ja: My Grind, My Hustle, which was chosen to celebrate individuals who appreciate the importance of hard work and have a drive for success and fulfilment.
“We at 9mobiIe congratulate Christiana Obafemi on coming tops in this competition; it is certainly a huge accomplishment amongst hundreds of other contestants.
“I also commend the runners-up for putting up a good showing. The three-shortlisted works are good interpretations of the effort to celebrate hardworking Nigerians who aim for success,” he said.
Mr Ogiemwanye added that as a telecoms operator dedicated to the unique Nigerian spirit, 9mobile will not relent in assisting talented photographers to reach their maximum potential.
Acting Managing Director of the firm, Stephane Beuvelet, stated that, “We are a proudly youth-focused brand, and we will not rest on our oars in ensuring that this important segment of our population get a lift through initiatives like 9mobile Photography Competition. It’s the digital age, and we are giving them a platform to leverage the power of digital media.”
Beuvelet also appreciated the judges and thanked Nigerians for participating in the contest, assuring that it will get bigger and better. David Gideon had earlier emerged winner of the ‘Voters’ Choice’ category of the competition, with his work titled A Woman. He was selected through a two-week online public vote and his image received the most votes.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of Canal+ Africa, Mr David Mignot, has disclosed that MultiChoice is now fully integrated into the media group.
Mr Mignot disclosed this via a statement issued on Thursday, noting that this development marks a new phase in the evolution of one of Africa’s leading pay television operators.
He noted that the integration positions MultiChoice within a global media organisation with an extensive international footprint.
“MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries. The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries,” Mr Mignot said.
The statement underscores the scale of the combined business, highlighting Canal+’s global reach alongside its significant investments across Africa.
The completion of the transaction is expected to strengthen MultiChoice’s position in the African media and entertainment market by giving it access to the broader resources, expertise and international capabilities of the Canal+ Group, while reinforcing the group’s commitment to the continent.
MultiChoice operates across sub-Saharan Africa through platforms including DStv and GOtv, serving millions of subscribers with entertainment, sports and news content.
By Adedapo Adesanya
FoodCourt, a Nigerian cloud kitchen startup backed by Y Combinator, has suspended operations after months of unpaid salaries and mounting debts to vendors triggered a staff strike and forced the company to halt customer orders, according to a report by TechCabal.
The publication reported that customers first noticed on March 4 that they could no longer place orders through the FoodCourt app after the company disabled ordering as kitchen workers, delivery personnel and branch staff embarked on strike over unpaid wages. The company also owed outstanding payments to vendors.
By April 19, FoodCourt had temporarily shut its last operating branch after suspending activities across its Lagos and Abuja locations while seeking fresh funding and restructuring the business, according to the report.
The company’s chief executive, Mr Henry Nneji, said the decision to pause operations was not caused by a single issue but by a combination of operational, organisational and working-capital challenges.
“It’s important to clarify that the decision to pause operations wasn’t driven by one single issue. We reached a point where it became clear that continuing to patch those issues while operating wasn’t the right long-term decision,” he said.
“The objective is to build a stronger business than the one that existed before the suspension. We fully intend to bring FoodCourt back,” he added in an emailed response.
The company acknowledged outstanding obligations to employees, vendors, riders and service providers, but declined to disclose the number of affected workers or the total amount owed. It said efforts were underway to resolve the liabilities as part of its restructuring process.
It was also reported that the startup’s financial difficulties worsened after expansion into additional locations increased operating costs, while its cloud kitchen model came under pressure from rising labour, logistics, food and marketing expenses.
Despite the shutdown, Mr Nneji said FoodCourt intends to relaunch after completing its restructuring, adding that the company believes demand for its products remains strong.
Founded in 2021 by Henry Nneji and Paul Adokiye Iruene, FoodCourt operates cloud kitchens under multiple virtual restaurant brands through its consumer app. According to TechCabal, the startup had previously disclosed raising $1.7 million, delivering more than one million meals and reaching $4.3 million in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2024.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
To further reinforce its commitment to continuous enhancement of customer experience through menu innovation and quality improvements, Chicken Republic, Nigeria’s leading quick-service restaurant brand and a flagship brand of Food Concepts Plc, has improved its Smokey Jollof recipe across restaurants nationwide.
As a customer-centric brand, Chicken Republic regularly evaluates consumer feedback, dining trends, and product performance to ensure its menu continues to deliver the quality and value to which customers have become accustomed.
The updated Smokey Jollof is part of this ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
The refreshed recipe represents the latest evolution of one of the brand’s most popular offerings.
Developed with a focus on richer flavour, greater consistency and an even more satisfying eating experience, the improved Smokey Jollof reflects Chicken Republic’s dedication to meeting the evolving tastes and expectations of its customers.
“At Chicken Republic, our customers are at the heart of every decision we make. We are constantly listening, learning and looking for ways to improve the experience we deliver.
“The improved Smokey Jollof is a reflection of that commitment. We’ve refined the recipe to deliver an even richer, more enjoyable taste experience while maintaining the flavour profile our customers know and love,” the Managing Director of Food Concept, Mr Olumide Aniyikaiye, stated.
“Great brands evolve with their consumers. This update is not about changing what people love, but about making it even better.
“We are confident that customers will enjoy the improved recipe and appreciate the attention we continue to invest in delivering quality meals every day,” Mr Aniyokaiye added.
The improved Smokey Jollof is now available at Chicken Republic outlets nationwide, allowing customers to experience a more flavourful and consistent version of a fan-favourite menu item.
This latest enhancement underscores Chicken Republic’s broader commitment to innovation, quality and creating memorable meal experiences for customers across Nigeria.
