Brands/Products
The Urgent Tasks Before Prime Mart Superstores in Ogun
By Emmanuel Udom
It is no longer news that Prime Mart Superstores officially opened it outlet to the public few days to Christmas.
The outlet is located along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, near Ifo Area Police Command in Ifo, Ogun State. It was declared open by the High Chief of Ifoland, Mr Semiu Ogunjobi.
At the event on Saturday, December 21, 2024, Mr Ogunjobi praised the management of the outlet to high heavens, for setting and meeting its target.
According to him, “Prime Mart Superstores set out to achieving what was possibly seen as an impossible mission around August this year, when constructions works on the outlet began with the target of opening it by December and hit the its target.”
He also debunked the impression that Ifo is a no-go area for business, possibly due to the activities of area boys, and assured that the new outlet in Ifo will open up soon.
However, in a strategic marketing mantra, the outlet promised low prices shopping experiences to customers on all its numerous products and services, this yuletide period and always.
Also ahead of the opening, dancers and drummers were spotted at major bus stops and crowded areas around Vesper, Coker Ibogun, Pakoto, Ifo Market area, St Mary Catholic Church junction at Alaja, Ewekoro, old bank, distributing fliers to residents of various communities in Ifo.
Beyond the jamboree that greeted the opening of the outlet. close observations by some of those who stormed the place on shopping spree showed that there are some urgent tasks the management of the superstores must sort out.
Indeed, children, youths, women, men, had fun since Saturday, shopping, dining, wining, taking pictures, dancing to the beating of the drummers and generally showing off.
But, let’s spotlight some of the tasks for immediate redress for the ultimate good of the outlet.
Security
Yes, the outlet is located near Ifo Police Area Command, in Ogun State. But, it is along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway and with the movement of people and vehicles around the area in the night, security should be beefed up.
I am sure Seyi Williams, an Assistant Commissioner of Police and Ifo Area Police Commander, is already thinking in this direction with his officers.
Yes, this writer spotted some So-Safe officials, undercover police officers, SSS operatives and TRACE officials during the day. But, some of them were not there when this writer visited the outlet around 8.15 pm on Christmas day.
Pedestrian Bridge
Crossing the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, especially at certain points is hellish and dangerous. You all know these dangerous points. Some reckless, restive and possibly drunk commercial and other drivers, do drive on both sides of the expressway in order to meet targets.
The outlet opens 8 am to 9 pm daily and the Ogun State and the federal government should tinker at this point in time with the idea of constructing a pedestrian bridge at Prime Mart Supermarket bus-stop, so that those going on shopping could shop and get home in one pieces.
Water Management
On the opening day, it was observed that the water system in some of the toilets was not functioning in optimum capacity. It is understandable. But, as at December day when I went shopping with my family, the issues have been successfully sorted out.
Wastes Management
Observe carefully while driving or walking through Lagos-Abeokuta expressway. The wastes dumped around Sango bridge near the markets are huge and clearing the wastes has not been easy for the state management guys. The expressway is littered with wastes at various points. I only hope the wastes generated at the outlets could be promptly cleared.
Continuous Orientation for the workers
Mr Adeyemi Moshood, a management staff told this reporter that those hired were screened and interviewed October this year. According to him, some of the posts advertised were that of bakers, store staffers, cleaners, security officer, marketers, and admin officers, among others.
But, independent interactions reveal that some of the workers need continuous orientations, on how to relate with customers, knowing the exact prices of items displayed for sale, not over flashing and showing off their lovely designer’s uniforms with the intention of attracting attention or whatever.
Emmanuel Udom, the Editor of Global News Agency, can be reached via: ee****@***oo.com
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.
