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AS+A Celebrates 24 Years with Thanksgiving, Awards and Recognition of Stakeholders, partners

Published

2 years ago

June 8, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

A distinguished public relations outfit, AS+A COMMUNICATIONS, has rolled out the drums to celebrate 24 years of unbroken business, where it specialised in image branding, event management and product marketing among others.

The 24th anniversary was characterized by presentation of awards and honours to deserving corporate organisations and distinguished individuals, rendition of speeches and cultural displays as well as product exhibition.

Held at the prestigious Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, and tagged 2024 PR/Forum/CSR Exhibition and Awards, with the theme, “BOOSTING SUSTAINABILITY, SOCIAL IMPACT AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT”, the event, which was anchored by a notable PR personality, began officially with the singing of the freshly reintroduced nation’s anthem, and opening prayer before the Chief Host, and Managing Director, AS+A Communications, Yeye Adenike Agnes Shobajo, took the stage to deliver her welcome address.

Acknowledging that the company has come a long way in 24 years, she returned all the glory to Almighty God, and at the same time gave kudos to brands that have flowed with them in thick and thin.

“Our story is a long one, but sweet to tell. We started in the year 2000. Our first awards were held in the premises of Philip Consulting, in UBA House, Marina, in 2001. We are the pioneers of CSR in Nigeria. We understand that there are people who have the wherewithal, those who can add value to people’s lives from what they do, without realizing. When we came to the knowledge of this, we took it upon ourselves to reach out to high networth individuals, corporate organisations as well as government institutions; departments and parastatals, to bring them out. These people go out of their way to do things that today, are referred to as sustainability. We call it social responsibility.

“So we can them out individually and corporately, to recognize their efforts to the society. And that explains the birth of this awards event.

“It is worthy of note that this event has been invited to showcase and hold in London for the 2025 edition. That’s how much we have made ourselves visible and responsible in the last 24 years.

“We recognize the efforts of past influential personalities, who have done so much to the society like the former Interim President, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Chief Molade Okoya Thomas (may their souls rest in peace). There are also the likes of Chief Dele Momodu, who have done, and are still doing things for the society. We do our to honour them, so that others can be encouraged to look for areas in the society, where they can give back, and affe t positively.

“And for every awarded today; it is a clarion call to do more. We are also partnering with the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, led by Mrs Tarela Aghanti, who surprised us with her presence today, having selflessness flown from her base in England, to Lagos, Nigeria. We appreciate her believe in us.

“I wholeheartedly appreciate every brand that has identified with us, especially Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State government that has been with us in the last four years. We also call on other state governors and governments to join us in this task of affecting the society.

“We also thank Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, who has invited to the state in September. We are exploring the states of Nigeria, and from.there, we will go into other African countries, and continue internationally.

“Our special appreciation to everyone, and may God bless us all,” Yeye Shobajo declared.

The event was spiced up with performances from students of Lady Bird Top Flight College and inmates of Mercy and Love Orphanage Home, who thrilled the audience spectacular dance steps, cultural displays.

In his address, the representative of the Lagos State Governor, who is the Director of Strategy in the Information Ministry, Mr. Kayode Oyekanmi, who delivered the keynote message, said that the government is solidly behind the efforts to boost sustainability, social impact and return on investment in the state, noting that it would provide enabling environment for individuals and corporate entities, who are will to affect the society with their positive impact.

“Lagos State under Governor Sanwo-Olu is ever ready to support any venture that is targeted at boosting sustainability, social impact and return on investments across board,” Mr. Oyekanmi said.

With speeches from Engr. (Mrs) Olu Maduka, Mr. Bolaji Abimbola, who representated the President, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations; President/Chairman of Council, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industries (LCCI), Mr. Gabriel Idahosa and Yeye Tobalase Aderonke Elegushi, the mother of the day, among others, the guests were thrilled and encouraged to begin and continue the act of corporate social responsibility and sustainability from their own little corners.

Also present at the event was veteran broadcaster, Bimbo Oloyede and Mrs Comfort Obot Nwankwo, president of NIPR.

A major highlight of the event was a slide presentation by the Founder, Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation UK and Nigeria, Mrs Terela Aghanti, who used the opportunity to recreate awareness the Osteogenesis Imperfecta disease, which causes paralysis and disability, calling on well meaning Nigerians and all and sundry to identify with the Founder towards helping the victims of the scourge.

She praised Yeye Shobajo for her amazing work, and professed her followership of her trajectory.

“The AS+A has been a solid partner of our foundation, and I have a personal interest in Yeye Adenike Shobajo for the amazing work she does, and the fact that she has a grandson that has Osteogenesis Imperfecta makes it phenomenal for me to associate with her.

“We held an eye opening event in March/April this year, and it went viral. We found more children that needed our assistance. Remember, we gave out a total of 300 walking aids to diverse persons suffering from the disease, according to the stage and medication required.

“And that brings me further reveal that come 2025, this event will be held in London, in association with our parent body, the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation Network.

“Again, I’m using this opportunity to reach out to the stakeholders, politicians, government departments, agencies and parastatals to partner with us, because with us, there is possibility of reaching to everyone at the grassroots,” Aghanti said.

Collaborating her stand, Mr. Adeoye Tolulope Emmanuel, a career therapist, working on the project, said the build up to further affect those suffering from Osteogenesis Imperfecta is being sustained for the food if the society.

Among organizations that awarded for their efforts in sustaining Corporate Social Responsibility, making social impact and creating avenues for return on investments were NIMASA, NTA, Toyota, Ovation Media Group, Nestle Nigeria Plc and LCCI.

On the individual category, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwooolu, Rev. Gbenga Oshokoya, Mr Reuben Muoka among others were recognised and awarded.

The programme was rounded up with the cutting of the anniversary cake, which was followed by a vote of thanks by the daughter of the host.

Featured

First Lady’s Cars Distribution to APC Women Amid Oyo Kidnapping Crisis, Outrage or Applause?

Published

14 minutes ago

June 6, 2026

Eric

By Shakirat Akintola

As the agonizing wait for dozens of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State stretches into another grueling week, a storm of public outrage has erupted over a high-profile political gesture from the nation’s capital.

The source of the friction? A fleet of newly donated vehicles.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has sparked intense debate across Nigeria following the launch of the “Tinubu Torchbearers,” a mobilization group under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). To kick off the initiative, the First Lady donated vehicles to APC women leaders across five opposition-controlled states: Abia, Anambra, Bauchi, Osun, and Oyo.
While the presentation was met with cheers inside the political halls, the feedback online and on the streets of Oyo has been starkly different, raising a fundamental, painful question: Can there be celebration without rescue?

The Political Machinery in Motion

During the presentation, Senator Tinubu was explicit about the nature and intent of the donation. She clarified that the vehicles were personal donations and instructed that they be registered directly in the names of the respective state women leaders. She didn’t stop there, urging APC governors across the country to follow suit and empower the women leaders in their own domains.

Defending the move as a core part of political engagement, the First Lady noted, “We are politicians, and people should see what the value is.”

But for many Nigerians watching the event unfold against the backdrop of a worsening security situation, the “value” being demonstrated felt incredibly detached from the immediate reality on the ground.

“A Question of Timing”

In Oyo State, where families are still frozen in trauma over the unresolved mass kidnapping of students and educators, the arrival of political campaign vehicles has rubbed salt into an open wound. Local commentators and citizens quickly took to social media and radio programs to challenge the priorities of the ruling class.

“We are talking about missing children, terrified parents, and schools that aren’t safe,” noted one Ibadan-based community advocate during an morning broadcast on Arise News. “And the immediate response we see from Abuja is the distribution of cars to mobilize voters for the next election? It feels like the campaign never stops, even when our hearts are breaking.”
The dialogue surrounding the incident highlights a deep, systemic disconnect. On one hand, the political class views internal party mobilization and the strengthening of its structures as standard, ongoing operations. On the other hand, a traumatized public views it as a tone-deaf display of luxury and politicking during a moment of profound national grief.

The Growing Divide

As the opposition-controlled states digest this move, the debate in Oyo remains the most volatile. Critics argue that the logistics, funding, and energy poured into launching the Tinubu Torchbearers could have been better utilized in supporting local security infrastructure or visible community solidarity.

For now, the vehicles are set to hit the roads, registered to partisan leaders. But as long as the classrooms in Oyo remain empty and the abducted victims remain in the bush, every political convoy that passes through these states will likely face the same haunting question from the people: Where is the rescue?

Featured

Glo Introduces “More Data More Value” Offer to Boost Customers’ Experience

Published

13 hours ago

June 6, 2026

Eric

Determine to enrich the digital experience of its subscribers, Globacom has introduced a new data offer, tagged “More Data More Value only on Glo”. The new offer gives customers as much as 10 percent more data across its bundles as the Nigerian telecom landscape shifts toward a data-led economy.

Globacom explained in a statement that “The new offer is designed to ensure that every Naira spent by a Nigerian consumer yields the highest possible digital return”, thus reinforcing the company’s long-standing reputation for affordability and empowerment.

“More Data More Value” offers a variety of weekly and monthly options planned to balance daytime and night-time usage. The weekly plan includes ₦1,000 option which provides 3.7GB of total data, consisting of 1.7GB main data and 2GB night data, while that of ₦2,000 offers 9GB in total, divided into 6.5GB main data and 2.5GB night data.

The monthly plan also comes with different options including that of ₦1,500 which delivers a total of 5.2GB (2.2GB main data paired with 3GB night data); the ₦2,000 option offering 6.25GB data, a combination of 3.25GB main data and 3GB night data and16.5GB, comprising 14.5GB main data and 2GB night data which goes for N5,000. There is also the ₦10,000 and N15,000 options, with N10,000 providing 42GB total, 38GB main data and 4GB night data, while ₦15,000 offers 64GB in total, consisting of 62GB main data and 2GB night data.

Glo’s enhanced bundles provide the necessary incentive for students, remote workers, and entrepreneurs to browse longer, whether for TikTok trends, Instagram aesthetics, YouTube streaming, or high-stakes gaming and stream without fear, ensuring their professional and social lives remain uninterrupted.

These improved bundles from Globacom give entrepreneurs, remote workers, and students the incentive they need to browse longer, whether for high-stakes gaming, YouTube streaming, Instagram aesthetics, or TikTok trends, and stream on end, while ensuring seamlessness in their social and professional lives.

Beyond individual users, the “More Data More Value” offer also extend its benefits to families and SMEs. With the reliance of small businesses and households on mobile hotspots for their daily operations, Glo has optimized its offerings to serve as the preferred network for high-volume usage.

The offer also serves as a driver of digital transformation through the Glo Café app. Customers are encouraged to utilize the app for seamless bundle subscriptions, as it allows them to manage their “more than 10% extra” data with ease, thus ensuring rewarding user experience.

“More Data More Value” offer underscores Glo’s commitment to providing the best value-for-money which gives Nigerians the benefit of not compromising on their digital lifestyle

Featured

Otti to Build 35,000-Capacity FIFA-Standard Stadium in Aba

Published

22 hours ago

June 5, 2026

Eric

Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has announced plans to construct a FIFA-standard stadium in Aba with a seating capacity of approximately 35,000, in what is being described as one of the most significant sports infrastructure projects in the State’s development agenda.

The proposed stadium is designed to meet international football standards, making it suitable for hosting top-tier domestic league matches, continental competitions, and other global sporting events.

The facility is expected to feature modern pitch technology, upgraded spectator stands, advanced lighting systems for night games, VIP lounges, media centres, locker rooms, and safety and security installations that align with FIFA requirements.

The project is also expected to include auxiliary facilities such as training pitches, parking spaces, and support buildings that will enhance its overall functionality as a multi-use sports complex.

According to the governor’s vision, the stadium is not just a sports project but part of a broader economic revitalisation plan for Aba.

The city, already known as a major commercial hub in South-eastern Nigeria, is expected to benefit significantly from increased sporting activities, which will drive business for hotels, transport operators, food vendors, and local entrepreneurs.

The initiative is also positioned to strengthen grassroots football development and provide a modern home ground for local teams, especially Enyimba FC, one of Nigeria’s most successful football clubs.

The project is expected to be executed through a structured development approach that may involve partnerships aimed at ensuring timely delivery and high construction standards.

When completed, the stadium is projected to elevate Abia State’s profile in national and African football circles while creating new opportunities for youth engagement, talent development, and sports tourism.

Overall, the Aba stadium plan reflects a strategic push by the state government to combine sports, infrastructure, and economic development into a single long-term growth vision for Abia State.