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THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2014

SHOPPING Mr Biggs arrives MMIA, Lagos

R Biggs, Nigerian’s foremost, indigenous quick service restaurant business and a brand under UAC Restaurants, birthed a new outfit at the E-wing of the departure lounge, close to the British Airways counter, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on November 23. The all-new-look eatery, is positioned to serve the increasing needs of international travellers at the MMIA. This will avail travellers the opportunity to grab a fast meal before boarding their flights without hassles. The challenge of getting affordable hygienic meal to cater for the needs of travellers has been taken care by the entrant of Mr Biggs brand at the airport. “It’s our good initiative in response to consumer needs,” said Mr Derrick Van Houten, the Managing Executive for UAC Restaurants. The mood at the opening of the

eatery was joyous and it was easily noticeable on the faces of the customers when informed that a Mr Biggs restaurant, where they could easily grab a meal before boarding their flights, was close by. As part of the marketing initiatives to create awareness and build customer loyalty, customers, who make purchases from the opening day till the next one month will be rewarded with beautifully branded gift items. It’s the Biggs way of appreciating the customers. The restaurant offers meals in the following categories: Pastries – Meatpie, Chicken pie, Beef roll & Doughnut; Meals – rice, heritage pottage and farmhouse beans; Sweets – ice cream & soft serve yoghurt – first of its kind and a variety of cold drinks to go with the meals. We are very much aware that the yuletide period is setting in with

•From right: Managing Director of Barcelos, Mr Saheed Johnson; Chief Operating Officer, Frank Drake and Head of Finance, Mr Dayo Oyenuga.

its beehive of activities and the restaurant is set to relieve travellers the stress of having to plan their meals before arriving at the airport. Also, Mr Biggs, the children

friendly brand is connecting with schools through the Mr Biggs @ School Fest package this yuletide season. For just N1, 000, schools can enjoy the presence of Mr Biggs brand at their end of year parties.

Mr Biggs has just emerged as the 2014 Most Trusted Brand in the quick service restaurant category, a brand health award. They couldn’t have achieved it without their esteemed and loyal customers.

Mr Chef crowns Juliet Ofodile as ‘first lady’ • SUV and N1.5m cash prize added

ISS Juliet Onyinyechi Ofodile could not hold back tears of joy as she was announced winner of the Mr Chef first lady reality show at the Shell Hall of the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos last Friday. The 23-year-old undergraduate of the University of Lagos beat a tough field of 18 other contestants at the grand finale of the show that was designed to discover the total woman, who best epitomised the essence of womanhood. As Mr Chef first lady, she went home with a Hyundai Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), N1.5 million cash, a LED television set and a double-door refrigerator. Miss Sophia Onyeka Okoroafor, 20-year-old graduate of International Law from Babcock University, who placed second received a cash prize of N1 million, a LED Television set and a double-door refrigerator while Miss Ifeoluwa Ruth Obi, 23-year-old Mass Communication undergraduate of the University of Lagos, who was third won

By Kolawole Gloria

N500, 000 cash, a LED Television set and a double-door refrigerator. Each of the other 16 women who made it to the grand finale received N100, 000 and a bedside refrigerator. Mr Piyush Nair, Managing Director of Bayswater Industries, makers of Mr Chef beef and chicken seasoning cubes and sponsors of Mr Chef first lady reality show, described the show as a corporate initiative to discover ready-to-face-theworld women, who are not only beautiful but brilliant, homely and economically strong to stand on their feet. ”Mr. Chef first lady reality show gives us a platform to demonstrate our commitment to women empowerment, just as it has given us a good opportunity to contribute to the sustenance of a family-oriented society and the building of a strong Nigeria,” Nair said. Miss Juliet Ofodile, described her victory as a triumph of vision and

Infinix to partner Konga, Etisalat

NFINIX mobility is set to launch a new android smartphone called Infinix Hot X507 in partnership with Konga and Etisalat. Head of Marketing, Peter Zhou, at a press briefing in Ikeja, said: “We want to continue the E-commerce concept to bring trendy smartphones like Infinix Hot to Nigerians with incredible value ,and earn trust with customers.” Infinix Hot is the latest addition to Infinix products in Nigeria following the success of the Infinix Zero. The Infinix Hot X507 comes with fresh and exciting features, setting it apart from other brands. It is extremely affordable, delivering incredible value to customers. The Infinix Hot is built for trendsetters, which comes in different colours to complement different tastes and personalities.

By Ibrahim Adam

Its unique luminous back stands out at night and is designed to attract young extroverts, who love the nightlife. Commenting on the partnership, Konga’s Head of General Merchandise, Mr Ore Odusanya, said the company has high expectations that the new device will join its predecessor - the Infinix Zero, in winning the hearts of Nigerians. “The reception of the Infinix Zero was quite amazing, with Konga selling about 20,000 units of the device in just 3 weeks. We expect the Infinix Hot to do even much better in the mobile phone market. “he said. Customers, who purchase the Infinix HOT on Konga, will enjoy 500MB free data on activation and 100 per cent instant bonus on all purchases of 200MB data and above for 12 months, powered by Etisalat.

‘The reception of the Infinix Zero was quite amazing, with Konga selling about 20,000 units of the device in just 3 weeks. We expect the Infinix Hot to do even much better in the mobile phone market’

•From left: Managing Director, Bayswater Industries Ltd, Nair; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer X Media Communication Ltd, Mr. Tunde Lawrenson; winner of the Mr Chef First Lady reality show, Juliet Ofodile and director, Bayswater Industries Ltd, Chief Reggie Uduhiri, at the Mr Chef First Lady reality show.

will power, saying: “I feel very happy to have been crowned as the Mr Chef first lady because I have a very strong confidence in my ability as a woman, who is determined to excel in whatever I set my mind upon,” stressing: “Mr Chef first lady reality show has empowered me to believe more in myself and in everything that I do.” Her elated mother, Mrs. Ify Ofodile, said: “As her mother, I feel very happy that she won. I am very proud of her. Right from childhood, she has never believed that any girl was better than her in spite of her disability; her life’s

story confirms the saying that there is ability in every disability.” Before the grand finale, 37 women, who were selected from a nationwide auditions conducted by the show’s producers, X media Communications Ltd, underwent six weeks of intensive grooming in home-making, character building, personality management and the development of their business acumen. They also learnt the basics of home making, entrepreneurship and social interactions. In addition, they gained valuable insights

from accomplished Nigerians in various fields, who shared personal and professional experiences with them so that they could have a better appreciation of life. Mr. Chef first lady reality show is an extension of Mr. Chef’s array of consumer initiatives aimed at rewarding customers for their steadfast loyalty to the brand over the years. These initiatives, which are based on insights gained from consumer feedbacks, include the recent introduction of the novel 10-in-1 pack of seasoning cubes as well as the ongoing Awuf now, now! consumer promo in which every customer wins a prize.

‘SMEs will be more productive when Internet awareness grows’

•Microsoft Nigeria CTO Olayinka Oni

ECHNOLOGY has continued to shape the interaction between businesses and consumers just as much has been said about the implication of increased broadband connectivity on Nigeria’s economy. Speaking on the Mara Mentor Talk Show, Mr. Olayinka

Oni, Chief Technology Officer Microsoft Nigeria, said “people will get a lot more with broadband technology, especially through ecommerce, which is said to contribute about 7% to Nigeria’s GDP,” as he reiterated the implication of increased broadband penetration to the country’s economy. In a recent report published by Ericsson Mobility, mobile broadband is becoming prominent in Sub-Saharan Africa as the region grows more reliant on mobile devices and society embraces mobility. And as Nigeria continue to lead other sub-Saharan countries; despite the challenges with broadband connectivity, Mr. Oni thinks SMEs will be more productive with increased Internet penetration. Currently buoyed by soaring internet penetration and mobile adoption rates, business in

Nigeria’s vibrant ICT sector, is championed by innovative young entrepreneurs leveraging on unique advantages of IT infrastructure despite challenges in running an Business. According to Microsoft Nigeria’s CTO, “Technology is here to stay. It will continue to shape businesses.” He thus advised business owners to acquaint themselves with technologies that would grow their businesses, while keeping an eye on online consumer behavior and the latest trends in ICT. Considering the tight purses of startups, Mr Oni also urged young entrepreneurs to leverage on new trends in technology, i.e. social media platforms, email marketing, online data and collaborative tools to drive growth and cut overheads. On adoption of cloud technology, he advised that SMEs take precaution and use genuine software.