HOW TO MAKE EFO RIRO

By Omolade Rasaq

Efo riro is a Nigerian traditional vegetable soup with its origin in the Yoruba-speaking part of the country. Efo riro is incomplete without locust beans and palm oil. The best vegetables suitable for this recipe are efo tete or efo shoko.

For those who don’t know what it is and want to try, we have reproduced it just for you!

Ingredients

Beef

Cow tripe (Shaki)

Cowskin (Ponmo)

Dry fish

Palm oil (20 cl)

Efo Shoko (500g)

Pepper mixtures(Red bell peppers, Scotch Bonnet peppers, chilli pepper)

2 tbsp ground crayfish

1½ Onions

Seasoning cubes

2 tbsp of locust beans (iru)

Salt

Before you start;

Wash and cut the vegetable into big chunk. Soak vegetable in hot water for about 3 minutes drain and set aside.

Wash locust beans and set aside.

Soak the dry fish till soft and debone.

Deseed the peppers and blend roughly.

Method

Start cooking the caw tripe on high heat with little water. When the cow tripe is almost done, add meat, chopped onions, salt and seasoning cube and continue cooking.

In another pot, pour the palm oil and heat it. Once hot, add the remaining onions and fry for 2 minutes.

Then add locust beans fry for a minute. Now pour your blended pepper mixture, and stir together. Add salt, seasoning cube and crayfish. Allow to cook for about 20 minutes.

Once the oil is floating at the top, add smocked fish, ponmo, and meats. Stir and taste for salt.

Add the vegetables to the sauce and stir very well, cover the pot and allow to cook for about 4 minutes. After some minutes, take the pot off the heat.

Your Efo riro is ready.

Culled from: /guardian.ng/life

MARKETING TIPS FOR GROWING SMALL BUSINESSES

BY VWEDE OVERAH

The foremost goal of any business, big or small, is to make profit and grow. How do you achieve profitability and business expansion?

Achieving this isn’t an uphill task as it takes knowledge, determination and skillful direction. Definitely, effective marketing also plays a key role here. Success formula for one business may not necessarily be the same for another, but certain action plans are common factors that drive business success. Again, these will translate to success if only they are understood and well applied how and when necessary.

Briefly, we would look at some marketing ideas that could influence the growth of about any business from cradle to maturity with little or almost no spending.

Marketing, as we know, is the key to success in just about all businesses. Hence, it is not unusual for a mediocre product with great marketing to overtake a good product that is poorly marketed. The question here is: since small and medium-sized businesses can’t afford the luxury of spending on blockbuster marketing ideas for their products or services what is the way out? What can you do to improve their marketing results?

The answer is simple: pay attention to what big companies (as well as other small businesses) do to introduce and promote their products, and then adapt their marketing techniques to meet your own target clients and budget.

Here are some marketing ideas to consider:

Form strategic alliances with other businesses: Look out for businesses that would interest your target market and explore ways you can work together. Whether you actively market each other’s services, or team up to jointly work on clients’ jobs, strategic alliances can extend your reach and further enhance your bottom-line.

WEBSITE – Get a functional website for your business if you haven’t already done so. The world is now a global village. Make it much easier for people to locate and get in touch with you.

Segment your market and create products or develop areas that would appeal specifically to the needs of each segment of your audience.

Be different: As a small business owner, emulate the techniques of bigger businesses. Study you competitor, find something that distinguishes you from them – and then promote the difference. The difference could be your slogan, a key difference in your product, or even a perceived difference. For instance, are the cakes you produce fluffier and more colourful? Are your services via your website and across all social media network?

Expand into new markets: Sell your vegetable products to local restaurants and catering facilities as well as directly to consumers; if you sell computer accessories to small businesses, look into soliciting business from bigger companies, and federal, state or local government agencies.

WEBSITE – Get a functional website for your business if you haven’t already done so. The world is now a global village. Make it much easier for people to locate and get in touch with you.

SOCIAL MEDIA – A lot of people are on one form of social media network or another. Know the social networks your customers participate in, and then spend a few minutes a day participating in the one or two most customers use.

Send a card or postcard to customers to remind them when they need to come back for a check-up, or to remind them in advance of an appointment scheduled months in advance. These could also be facilitated using emails.

Talk to your customers – Make it a habit to ask them for feedback. Ask them what you can do to better serve their needs. This could be done formally of verbally. If you see a trend in what’s being asked for, act on it.

Send email to your customers: Plan regularly scheduled emails or Newsletters providing your customers with discounts and special offers, product tips, helpful hints for improving their business or their personal lives, or other information that will help them remember you and visit your store or website again. 

SEEK REFERRAL - Ask your customers to give you referrals. Happy customers will readily oblige you, especially if there is an incentive tied to it.

Give away something useful with a purchase over a certain amount, you might give an inexpensive neck scarf with clothing purchases, or a make-up kit to frequent customers to your hair salon.

Be proactive and be persistent. Consistent marketing is key to success for any small business. Always follow up with prospective and lost clients. You have to keep at it until you achieve desired result. Then, if you want to continue your momentum, you have to keep on marketing.

NASARAWA UNITED STEPS UP PREPARATION FOR NEW SEASON; RESUME SEPTEMBER 16

BY DONALD AGBAVOBOR

Nigeria Professional Football League Club, Nasarawa United have fixed Wednesday September 16 for players and officials to resume ahead of commencement of the new football season

This was one of the many decisions reached at the management meeting of the club held on Wednesday in Lafia

A statement signed by the media officer, Eche Amos, chairman of the club Barr. Isaac Danladi said the resumption date was necessitated by the need to adequately prepare the team for the next football season.

He revealed that with the support of the state governor, Abdullahi Sule the club now has a new facility that will serve as administrative office and camp house for players and officials.

NASARAWA STATE COMMISSIONER FOR SPORTS MOURNS DEPARTED SUPER EAGLES DEFENDER

BY DONALD AGBAVOBOR

The death of former Super Eagles defender, Ajibade Babalade last Friday in Ibadan sent shock waves across the football fraternity in the country with many still yet to come to terms with the reality of the sad occurrence.

 And as tributes continue to pour in for the former defensive stalwart of the Super Eagles,  Nasarawa State commissioner for Youth and Sports Development Honourable Othman Bala Adam has expressed deep sadness over the loss, describing it as a sad commentary for the entire football family in the country

In a statement issued in Lafia, the Nasarawa State commissioner for sports condoled with the Minister Of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, his Oyo State counterpart Engr. Segun Fakorede, the family of the late Ajibade Babalade and football fans across the country over the unfortunate incident

Honourable Othman who was also a former footballer in his youthful days having played for a number of clubs in the Nigerian league including the defunct ITF fc of Jos, recalled with fond memories the exploits of the late Ajibade Babalade in the round leather game.

He particularly made reference to his performance in the national team where he was a key member of the Super Eagles team that won bronze at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations and also helped 3sc of Ibadan reach the final of the CAF Champions League in 1996.

LIST OF 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL AFRICAN WOMEN IN 2020

 

BY MAGDALENE TEIKO LARNYOH

Avance Media has named its 100 Most Influential African Women for 2020.

The list is made up of the most powerful African women from 34 countries who work in various industries including diplomacy, politics, activism, entrepreneurship, business leadership, and entertainment.

On countries with the highest number of women, there were 20 women from Nigeria, 11 from South Africa, and nine from Ghana.

The list is made up of 75 new entrants. The youngest African female on the list is 24-year-old Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology, Emma Theofelus.

Other people on the list are Halima Dangote, Ugandan Activist Stella Nyanzi, Olympic Committee Member, Lydia Nsekera, and the only 2 female finance ministers in Africa, Vera Daves De Sousa (Angola) & Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed (Nigeria).

The Managing Director of Avance Media, Prince Akpah, said the list is focused on women who are leaders in various sectors on the continent. These women can also inspire the younger generation.

100 Most Influential African Women

The criteria for selection included: excellence in leadership and performance, personal accomplishments, commitment to sharing knowledge, breaking the status quo, and being an accomplished African Woman.

Below is the list of Avance Media’s 2020 100 Most Influential African Women arranged in alphabetical order

1. Agnes Binagwaho (Prof) || Vice-Chancellor, University of Global Health Equity

2. Agnes Kalibata || CEO, Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa

3. Amanda Mukwashi || CEO, Christian Aid

4. Amani Abou-Zeid (H.E Dr.) || Commissioner for Infrastructure & Energy, African Union

5. Amel Karboul (Dr.) || CEO, Education Outcomes Fund

6. Amina C. Mohamed (Dr.) || Cabinet Secretary, Sports, Culture & Heritage (Kenya)

7. Amina J. Mohammed (H.E) || Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations

8. Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh || Regional Head, IBM Africa

9. Angélique Kidjo || Musician

10. Anita Erskine || Founder, Anita Erskine Media

11. Anna Nimiriano || Editor-in-Chief, Juba Monitor

12. Anne-Marie Dias Borges || Presenter, BBC

13. Antoinette Sayeh || Deputy MD, IMF

14. Arikana Chihombori Quao || Activist

15. Aurélie A. Soulé Zoumarou || Minister, Digital Economy and Communications (Benin)

16. Ayisha Osori || CEO, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)

17. Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala || Vice President & CFO, AFDB

18. Bella Disu || Vice Chairman, Globacom

19. Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu || CEO, soleRebels

20. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi || First Lady, Ekiti State

21. Chileshe Kapwepwe (H.E.) || Secretary-General, (COMESA)

22. Dorothy Tembo || Ag. Executive Director, International Trade Centre

23. Edith Yah Brou || Blogger

24. Eghosa Oriaikhi Mabhena || CEO, Puma Energy Africa

25. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf || Founder, EJS Center

26. Elsie S. Kanza || Head of Africa, World Economic Forum

27. Emma Lohoues || Actress

28. Emma Theofelus || Deputy Minister, Namibia

29. Esther Cobbah || CEO, Stratcomm Ghana

30. Fadumo Dayib || Politician

31. Faith Osier (Prof) || President, International Union of Immunological Societies

32. Fatou Bom Bensouda || Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court

33. Fatoumata Bâ || Founder, Janngo

34. Françoise Remarck || Chairman, Canal+ Cote D’Ivoire

35. Graça Machel || Founder, Graca Machel Trust

36. Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor || Minister, International Relations and Cooperation

37. Hajer Sharief || Co-Founder, Together We Build it

38. Hala Zayed (Dr.) || Minister, Health and Population (Egypt)

39. Halima Dangote || Executive Director, Dangote Group

40. Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu || CEO, Tony Elumelu Foundation

41. Ilwad Elman || Director, Elman Peace and Human Rights Center

42. Irene Charnley || Founder, Smile Communications

43. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang (Prof) || Chancellor, Women's University in Africa

44. Jewel Howard Taylor (H.E) || Vice President, Liberia

45. Juliet Ehimuan || Director, Google West Africa

46. Kamissa Camara || Secretary-General, Mali Presidency

47. Lalla Moulaye Ezzedine || Chairman, Bank of Africa Côte d'Ivoire

48. Laureen Kouassi-Olsson || Regional Head, Amethis

49. Leila Bouamatou || Managing Director, BANK OF MAURITANIA GENERAL

50. Linda Ikeji || CEO, Linda Ikeji Media

51. Louise Mushikiwabo || Secretary General, Organisation internationale de la Francophonie

52. Lucy Quist || Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Morgan Stanley

53. Lydia Nsekera || Member, International Olympic Committee

54. Magda Wierzycka || CEO, Sygnia

55. Maggie Kigozi || Chairperson, Africa Scout Foundation

56. Mamokgethi Phakeng (Prof) || Vice-Chancellor, University of Cape Town

57. Mansa Nettey || CEO, StanChart Ghana

58. Martine Coffi-Studer || Chairperson, Bolloré Transport & Logistics

59. Massogbè Touré || CEO, SITA S.A

60. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti (Dr) || Regional Director for Africa, WHO

61. Melene Rossouw || Founder, Women Lead Movement

62. Mimi Kalinda || CEO, Africa Communications Media Group

63. Monica Geingos (H.E) || First Lady, Republic of Namibia

64. Nana Asantewa Afadzinu || Executive Director, WASCI

65. Nathalie Akon Gabala || Regional Head, Mastercard Foundation

66. Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli || Founder, LEAP Africa

67. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala || Board Chair, Gavi Alliance

68. Nompumelelo Thembekile Madisa || CEO, Bidvest Group

69. Olajumoke Adenowo || Founder, AD Consulting

70. Oumou Sangaré || Musician

71. Owen Omogiafo || CEO, Transcorp Group

72. Patricia Obo-Nai || CEO, Vodafone Ghana

73. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (Dr) || Executive Director, UN Women

74. Racheal Njoroge || Managing Director, Cummins

75. Rachel Sibande (Dr) || Founder, mHub

76. Rasha Kelej (Dr) || CEO, Merck Foundation

77. Rawya Mansour || Founder, RAMSCO

78. Raychelle Omamo || Minister, Foreign Affairs (Kenya)

79. Rita Bissoonauth || Head, AU International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education

80. Sahle-Work Zewde (H.E) || President, Ethiopia

81. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey || Minister, Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (Ghana)

82. Sinach || Musician

83. Sisi Ntombela || Premier, Free State (South Africa)

84. Snowy Khoza (Dr) || CEO, Bigen Africa

85. Soham El Wardini || Mayor, Dakar

86. Sola David-Borha || Group CEO, Standard Bank Africa

87. Stella Nyanzi (Dr.) || Convenor, Women's Protest Uganda

88. Sylvia Mulinge || Chief Customer Officer, Safaricom

89. Temie Giwa-Tubosun || Founder, LifeBank

90. Toyin Sanni || CEO, Emerging Africa Capital

91. Toyin Saraki || Founder, Wellbeing Foundation Africa

92. Uche Pedro || Founder, BELLANAIJA

93. Vera Daves De Sousa || Minister, Finance (Angola)

94. Vera Songwe (Dr) || Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

95. Wala'a Essam Al-Boushi || Minister, Youth and Sport (Sudan)

96. Wanjira Mathai || Vice President & Regional Director for Africa, World Resources Institute

97. Winnie Byanyima || Executive Director, UNAIDS

98. Yemi Alade || Musician

99. Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr || Mayor, Freetown

100. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed || Minister, Finance (Nigeria)

 

Source: africa.businessinsider.com

UNDERSTANDING KEY VARIABLES OF MARKETING

 By Vwede OVERAH

Our contemporary society appears to have compelled many people to begin thinking outside the box, as a lot are thinking of one form of business or the other. While some wants additional sources of income, others plan starting or have just started their own businesses.

Sometimes, it could be difficult to achieve success in marketing without talking 

about the Key Variables of Marketing. This is because entrepreneurs and companies will not be in business if they don’t have something for people to buy; if they do not find people to buy; if they don’t encourage people to buy and if they do not provide value for their products and services.

All these objectives (also called the Marketing Mix) form the nucleus of strategic marketing.  The marketing Mix is a combination of factors that can be controlled by an entrepreneur or a company to influence consumers to purchase its products or services.

The key variables that make up the marketing Mix are commonly referred to as the Four P’s of Marketing:

Product:

The product refers to the service or tangible good that satisfies the target customer’s wants. First and foremost, it is important that a real target market is identified, quantified and justified.

Place:

The place refers to location, when and where products will be made available for targeted customers to buy it.

Price:

Price consists of the policies regarding competitive upgrades, discounts, list price, reseller pricing, distributor and street price (the actual selling price).

Promotions:

Promotion includes Online Marketing, Alliances, Advertising, PR, Event Marketing, Direct Marketing, Personal Selling and Channel Marketing.

A combination of some or all these variables, if properly managed and well executed, could blend to create a mix that satisfies the needs of the target market, thereby augmenting profitability and productivity.

FLIGHT ABORTED ON THE RUNWAY!!!

BY VWEDE OVERAH

Tributes as Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s First Combat Helicopter Pilot is Laid to Rest, with Full Military Honours.

SHORT BUT IMPACTFUL LIFE

Born on 13 December 1995 to the family of Mr and Mrs Akintunde Arotile in Kaduna, Arotile, hails from Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. She attended Air Force Primary School, Kaduna from 2000 to 2005 and Air Force Secondary School, Kaduna from 2006 to 2011 before she later gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna as a member of 64 Regular Course on 22 September 2012.

She was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on 16 September 2017 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Arotile was winged as the first-ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force on 15 October 2019, after completing her flying training in South Africa. She holds a commercial pilot license and also underwent tactical flying training on the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter in Italy.

“While one of the two pilots is the first female fighter pilot in the 55 years’ history of the NAF, the second one is the first female combat helicopter pilot,” Air Chief Sadique Abubakar said at the October event.

Arotile died on 14 July 2020 at the age of 24, when she was inadvertently hit by the reversing vehicle of an excited former Air Force Secondary School classmate while trying to greet her. Before her untimely death, Arotile made significant and outstanding contributions to the war against terrorism, armed banditry and other forms of criminality in the Country, flying several combat missions.

Arotile said she joined the Nigerian Air Force out of a passion for the job. In her words “I joined the military simply out of passion for it. Being military personnel has been a long time ambition, the carriage and what it stands for are simply exceptional.

TRIBUTES

“My heart goes out to the family and colleagues of late flying officer, Tolulope Arotile.

“She was a brave patriot who pushed her self beyond limits to demonstrate her uncommon love for our dear nation. In the process, she made us all proud.

“By dedicating her young life to protect and defend Nigeria’s strength, honour and unity, her memory and legacy will continue to serve as a great inspiration to our youth especially our girls.”

Nigeria’s former President, Goodluck Jonathan

I join @NigAirForce and the nation to condole with the family of Late Fg Offr Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot.She was laid to rest today according to military traditions.Her service will be greatly missed by the AFN and may her soul rest in peace.

Gen. AG Olonisakin, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff

“Even at this moment, the Nigerian Air Force is still in palpable shock and loss as to why this had to happen our service. “As a service, we had so much expectation for Tolu which she was already living up to with ease. She contributed immensely to the decimation of enemies of our nation. Her death has really affected us in one way or the other”.

Nigeria’s Airforce Chief, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar

The First Female Combat Helicopter Pilot, Tolulope Arotile has been laid to rest today, I pray your soul Rest In Peace.

Nigeria has lost yet a heroine, you will be forever remembered as your name won't be left out in the book of History.

Muhammad Fatimah Temitope @MFTeemah

Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile will remain a source of inspiration, particularly to those who aspire to break new barriers. Her good legacies will surely endure.

Air Vice-Marshall OA Adesanya, Nigeria’s Defence Attaché to Moscow, Russia.

I pray that almighty Allah Grant you al-janah firdaus, continue to rest in power and remember to continue to handle that fighter jets for Nigeria in spirit, you're indeed an inspiration... I'll tell your story to my daughter probably, probably we can see many girls handle jet.

Surdick Olanrewaju

Rest on champion...your absence will be greatly missed against awọn Boko haram and evil bandits ...may God console your loved ones.... farewell farewell farewell.

Efo teete,  Omo ìyá eleja

@sethonia7

Rest in peace officer Tolulope Pray that God gives the family of the deceased and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) the courage to bear this huge loss.

Justice Chi, @OnyemaraC

I am so sad that Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, died at the age of 24 years. You were bold, brave and patriotic. You defended the nation and inspired national pride. May God comfort your parents and family. We salute your cherished memory. RIP.

Akinwumi A. Adesina, @akin_adesina, President of the African Development Bank

In 2012, Pres Goodluck Jonathan made it possible for women to be enlisted into the NDA. 25 of them were selected and admitted, they're popular known as "Jonathan Queens". One of them is late tolulope Arotile (RIP).

Cmr. Mohammed, @I_Am_marwa

The journey was short but very significant, not only because you fulfilled your childhood dream or being the first and only female combat helicopter pilot, but that you are a Nightmare of Boko Haram. It is well.

Ayemojubar,  @ayemojubar

Tolulope Arotile was an inspiration. She shattered the ceiling, and will always be our number 1. May she rest in the bosom of the Lord. And may the Almighty God grant the Arotile family and all her loved ones the comfort to bear this loss. –AA

Atiku Abubakar, @atiku, former Vice President of NIgeria

As the late Heroine Tolulope Arotile is buried today, we appreciate her short but accomplished and patriotic life of service to her country. I call the states and the FG to immortalize her by naming streets or public buildings after her. May her soul Rest In Peace. Ameen.

Senator Shehu Sani, @ShehuSani