BELLAFRICANA AFRICAN CREATIVE EXHIBITION (ACE) AND AWARDS

The management of Bellafricana is officially announcing their first edition of Bellafricana African Creative Exhibition and Awards coming up on the 17th of April, 2017. This Annual Creative Exhibition and Award (termed Bellafricana ACE Awards) is fully endorsed by Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) and the Nigeria Britain Association.

The theme is “Celebrating Creativity and Innovation”, as it is time to encourage and reward the hardworking creative business owners for impacting lives and the economy.

Bellafricana is an initiative with a focus on Made-in-Nigeria (Non-oil) products where customers and suppliers engage and transact to bridge the buyer-seller gap and create a wider outreach for Nigerian products locally and globally.

Bellafricana has enabled African creative businesses a platform to receive the recognition they have long deserved. They aim to laud the creative works of Nigerians (Africans), which makes open competition affordable and accessible.

The organisers believe the time has come where we should all come together to recognise and encourage hardworking and greatly skilled men and women who are making a significant impact through their various Industries/sectors.

This event is proudly sponsored by Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and supported by other organisations such as Sovereign Guards Limited, Vibe Web Solutions, Noah’s Ark, Labule Restaurant, ASSETS, Lara Rose, Mensam Prints, Bakers Options, Inside Watch Africa, Timeless, and much more

What To Expect At Bellafricana ACE Awards 2017

This will be a three phase event in which two of the phases will run simultaneously while the third phase will be held as the peak of the event.

The phases are; Exhibition, Conference and Awards dinner.

Both the Exhibition and the Conference will be held simultaneously and the Awards will be held in a dinner fashion to close the event.

Exhibition

The watch-word at Bellafricana is Quality, to this effect; the organisers of the Bellafricana ACE Awards have assured the availability of top quality creative Afrocentric businesses to exhibit.

You will be able to access a wide variety of discounted quality made in Nigeria products all under one roof in these 5 focus categories are; Arts & Crafts, Fashion, Health & Beauty, Home & Living and Food Produce & Snacks.

HERE IS WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND AND NOT MISS THIS EVENT?

· Mouth-watering BBQ Chicken, Fish and Steak at the Sea Front

· Free Massage

· Free Spa Treatment

· Free Health Check

· Get up to 25% discount to shop.

· Get giveaways worth over ₦1,000,000.

· Fun Area for Kids – Games, Dancing Competition, Arts and Craft Making, T-shirt Painting and many more

· Painting Competition for Adults

· Make New Friends and Connection

· Free WiFi to browse all day

· ₦1,000 off Taxi Ride

· Highly Secured


To register and find out more, go to event.bellafricana.com/shopping

Conference

Themed: Practical Steps to taking your business Global

Key Note Speaker: Mr Olusegun Awolowo (CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council)

Bellafricana is always finding ways to help both budding and established creatives to harness the resources available to build their businesses stronger.

To this end, the conference will feature enlightening and engaging talks from renowned business men and women who have quality experience in these fields;


· Marketing Your Creative Business Globally

· How to Monetize your Creative Idea

· Branding that speaks for you

· Taking Your Non-Oil Product Global (Export)

· Sustainability and Succession Planning for Creative Businesses

· Perfect the Quality of your Craft and Evolve

To register and find out more, go to event.bellafricana.com/conference

Awards

Theme: Celebrating Creativity and Innovation

This African Creative Exhibition & Awards opens for nominations in various categories and Award competition.

Participants are offered a unique opportunity to showcase their talents and to have their work judged by the consumers and experts.

1) Best Indigenous Textile Designer

2) Best Emerging Beauty Brand

3) Best Emerging Fashion Brand

4) Best Creative Solution (ICT)

5) Best Supportive Made-in-Nigeria Celebrity of the Year

6) Best Eco-friendly Product Innovation

7) Best Innovative Product of the Year

8) Best Pioneer Craftsman/woman of the Year (Over 10 years)

9) Best Food Produce Innovation

10) Best Creative Kid Entepreneur

11) Best Creative Social Enterprise of the Year

12) Best Creative Kids Brand

13) Best Emerging Artist

14) Best Emerging Home & Lifestyle Brand

15) Best emerging African Brand


VOTING IS CURRENTLY ONGOING FOR THE AWARDS AND ENDS 05/04/2017. NOMINATE YOUR BRAND TODAY.


Go to the event website: event.bellafricana.com for more information.

Why You Should Participate

· The event is an important annual occurrence aimed at attracting an audience that include Captains of Industry, Investors, Upwardly Mobile Youths, Marketers, Trade Delegations & Missions, Procurement Officers, Brand And Business Managers, Art Lovers, Governmental Representatives And Key Decision Makers.


· The event is for enterprising Nigerian MSMEs seeking wider access to both internal markets and International markets and investors seeking joint-venture partners.

EVENT FACTS

Theme: “Celebrating Creativity and Innovation”

Conference Theme: "Practical Steps to Taking Your Business Global"

Date: April 17, 2017 (Easter Monday, Public Holiday)

Venue: D-Venue, Water Corporation Drive, Off Ligali Ayorinde, Oniru, Lagos, Nigeria.

Time for Exhibition: 10 - 4pm

Time for Awards Dinner: 5 – 9pm

For partnership and sponsorship details, please contact the organisers;

Call: +2348086363970 or +2348184457403

Email: info@bellafricana.com, community@bellafricana.com

Register: event.bellafricana.com

The Excellence in Life series 2.0 is happening this Saturday

The current state of our nation leaves much to  desired. From the plunging Economy to insecurity. The masses are wailing and the rich also cry. From the constant decline of the value of the Naira to the hike in fuel prices which has catapulted inflation and taken it to an all time high, the common Nigerians have had to bear the brunt! 

It is quite convenient to heap the bulk of blame on the government as usual but truth be told the citizens are equally accountable. 

One major syndrome that has eaten deep into the fabric of our society is MEDIOCRITY and it is responsible for most of the pains we suffer today. We did not get to where we are in one day. It was a gradual process of letting mediocrity get the better of us and today it has become gangrenous thus becoming an uphill task to mitigate against. 

“I will mange it”, “It’s not so bad”, “It’s fair enough” “What more can I do” “I have tried, jare” “I can’t kill myself joorrr”… are very familiar expressions, aren’t they? We either encounter or even pronounce them ourselves regularly. What belies these otherwise insouciant and unperturbed proclamations is the syndrome called MEDIOCRITY!

Mediocrity is clearly a negative trait we should avoid like a plague. If you do not actively REJECT mediocrity, you are unwittingly choosing it over EXCELLENCE and will be running life’s relay littered with broken dreams and failed expectations and at the end of the finishing line you will be crowned with frustrations and unhappiness. 

Everywhere you go to today, across our beloved country Nigeria, mediocrity and impunity stare you in the face.  This sad development which pervades most facets of our national and private lives has now become a Sub-Culture. This also explains why most Nigerians prefer foreign products to Made-In-Nigeria ones, irrespective of price.  The reason for this is that the production of most foreign goods are driven by a Culture of Excellence.

Thankfully many Nigerians have taken the bull by the horn and have gone all out on the fight against mediocrity. One of such Nigerians is Dr. Femi Paul. 

Dr. Femi Paul, a Lawyer by profession, is the Senior Pastor of Grace Assembly Churches, Lagos. He attended the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. He later went on to the University of London for two Masters Degrees in Shipping Law and Intellectual Property. He is also a certified graduate of the Oxford Princeton School of Petroleum Studies.  He practiced law in Lagos for many years, before moving into the Shipping & Maritime Industry.  His last foray in secular business was into the Oil & Gas Industry, after which he settled into full time ministry in 2001.

Dr. Femi Paul has delivered various papers, keynotes and workshops on Excellence In Life at several organizations, institutions and conferences around the world.  In 2015, he was honored with a Doctorate Degree by Northwestern Christian University for his excellent contribution towards Christian Education. He is also a pastor and the founder of Grace Assembly Church, a ministry committed to inspiring people and transforming lives.  

Dr. Femi Paul is mostly known for his exceptional “Spirit and Lifestyle of Excellence”. This has earned him many accolades and also inspired him to birth the vision “Life Class with Femi Paul”, and also the Excellence-In-Life Series where he shares Life Transforming Principles that shaped his life. 

Dr. Femi Paul is the Convener of the EXCELLENCE-IN-LIFE SERIES, a National Transformation Initiative aimed at eradicating the prevalent culture of mediocrity in our society. According to Dr. Femi Paul, "It is in my patriotic quest to salvage our country, build a culture of excellence and leave a lasting legacy for future generations that I present to you, THE EXCELLENCE IN LIFE SERIES!"

The EXCELLENCE IN LIFE SERIES, a bi-monthly meeting is the tool by which the visionary, Dr. Femi Paul hopes to eradicate the prevalent Culture of Mediocrity and propagate in its place, the much needed Culture of Excellence.  This initiative promises to transform mindsets and inevitably optimize the potential of individuals, institutions and the nation alike.

Excellence-In-Life, is not another Certification Course, because when it comes to Excellence, you don’t tender certificates.  Excellence is simply about doing things well, and it is WAR AGAINST MEDIOCRITY!

 

Due to his passion for eradicating mediocrity and extolling the spirit of Excellence, Pastor Femi Paul has made The Excellence in Life Series a Bi- Monthly event featuring world class speakers. The next one holds this Saturday the 21st of May 2016 and speakers like Ibukun Awosika, the Chairman of First Bank PLC and Mrs Bukky George of the Health Plus Pharmacy chains will be some of those imparting the wealth of knowledge and experience in many Nigerian who will be attending.

Join in the WAR AGAINST MEDIOCRITY!

EVENT: Success Circle Africa Conference 2016

Success circle Africa has been conceived as a platform to spread the empowering message of what true entrepreneurship is and not just share the motivational success stories but also show practical ways to create a thriving African business enterprise that would contribute real value to the local and global economy.

THEME : INNOVATION & COLLABORATION AS CATALYSTS FOR GROWTH IN AFRICAN BUSINESSES
Our goal through success circle Africa is to spread our message of value driven entrepreneurship across multiple platforms using real media, community groups and social media as drivers of this message of change and transformation to enterprises in Africa.

Our annual conference would be our yearly gathering to bring together a community of aspiring and established entrepreneurs around the African continent to reinforce this message and celebrate the success stories of triumph and accomplishments against all odds.

The Details of the event;

Date: 26th May 2015
Location: The Wheatbaker Hotel, 4 Onitolo (Lawrence road) Ikoyi
Event Start up Time: 10am

Confirmed speakers Include;

Mr James Agada; CEO, Computer Warehouse group, 

Mrs Audrey Joe-Ezeigbo; Co-founder, Falcon Group, 

Dr Enase Okonedo; Dean Of the Lagos Business School, 

Mr Michael Owolabi; Md Il Bagno, 

Mr Wole Faroun; Md Webmallng and many more.

We believe in the abundance of potential in Africa and for many, this conference and platform would be the necessary thrust for them to proceed in taking their business to the next level.

'Tale Alimi, Convener

The Bella Community August Meet Up

Based on a research and survey we carried out recently amongst creative entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs, we have come to the conclusion that to sustain an online community of African made products and services, an offline community will strongly enhance the growth of the online vision. Bellafricana (a company that promotes African made products and services) hereby presents “The Bella Community”.

The Bella online community is growing very healthily and in fact we are so excited and convinced that an offline community will richly benefit and add more value to our community members. We are a community of creative entrepreneurs, but we also want to connect with intrapreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs.

When you are running a business, your business inspiration can come from almost anywhere. However, a few small business owners forget to use one of the most important tools readily available to them. One of the most important tools that you can use is community. In any city there will always be a community to connect with, and as an entrepreneur, you need this.

Calling all CREATIVE MINDS; artrepreneurs, handmade crafters, fashion designers, interior decorators/designer, bakers, shoe makers, musicians, poets, oh dear the list is endless and all other entrepreneurs and working professionals, wonder why I started listing (phew). You are a creative entrepreneur if you have a business how about that, hmm!

Wondering what benefits you get joining the Bella community? Here are 5 reasons;

1. Learn from other’s mistakes: Hearing what is going on with other people’s businesses enables you to really understand the real story of what is happening in their business. This may serve as a guideline on what to avoid in your business and the opportunity of being able to use their tricks for some great success tactics in your own business.

2. Exchange tips of business: For any entrepreneur, intrapreneur or aspiring entrepreneur, just starting out is so exciting, but this time of ideas and beginnings can also be confusing. Having other people that have had some experience be there to give you tips and secrets that you can use helps tremendously. You will be able to start off smoothly and keep growing strong during tough times.

3. Pass on knowledge: One of the biggest functions of the bella community of entrepreneurs is to pass on the knowledge that has been gathered from experienced professionals to the less experienced entrepreneurs. This is also a great place where you can find a mentor, and/or become a mentor for someone else. You meet a group of trusted entrepreneurs which grows to become a valuable business partnership and establish yourself with each other as a safe place to gather advice when you have a challenging decision to make.

4. Make valuable connections: Meet with like-minded creative minds. Networking is a skill that is essential in business and in your personal life. If you don’t know how to do this naturally, learn about it. Making these connections within the bella community is the greatest reason the community is here.

5. Learn new business skills: You get to learn new business skills together with real-life entrepreneurs and professionals.

Let’s make this official, join us at our first meetup on the 20th of August. This will be a monthly meetup. Every 3rd Thursday of the month from 5pm- 8pm.

Get ready to swap ideas, business cards, resources, shortcuts, strategies, traditional/digital marketing tools & tactics, put your business online, meet other key professionals and get valuable introductions to various thought leaders.

This is a real community, coming to you soon, so get ready and tell somebody…

There’s a limit of 40 seats, and they’re sure to be snatched up quickly, so register today and share this link.


JOIN THE BELLA COMMUNITY TODAY!

August Theme (Let’s Discuss): “Creating an outstanding brand in a competitive market”

Guest Speaker: Mr Lanre Adisa, CEO Noah’s Ark (A Creative & Brand Expert)

BIOGRAPHY: Lanre started his career as a Trainee Copywriter at MC&A: Saatchi & Saatchi in 1990. He left as a Copy Group Head in 1994 and later joined Rosabel (Leo Burnett) Advertising as a Copy Manager in 1995.

He moved to Franchise Communications as a Senior Copy Manager in 1996 and joined Insight-Grey as a Senior Copywriter in 1997 and was later made a Joint Deputy Creative Director in charge of the Creative Department in 1999.

He left Insight-Grey as an Associate Creative Director in 2003 when he joined TBWA/Concept as a Creative Director and was appointed to the Board of TBWA/Concept as an Executive Creative Director in 2005.

Under him, TBWA/Concept was adjudged the most creative agency in the country dominating the local award scene. He left TBWA/Concept to start Noah’s Ark in 2008. Within its first five years of existence, Noah’s Ark has scored a few first for Nigeria.

In 2012, Noah’s Ark became the first agency in West Africa to have its work published in Lurzer’s Archive. Noah’s Ark also became the first Nigerian agency to be recognized at Cannes Festival winning two national diplomas in craft for two of its entries.

Noah’s Ark ended the year 2013 as the second most awarded agency at the local LAIF Awards
Lanre has vast experience working on brands like Indomie Noodles, Malta Guinness, Samsung, Peak Milk, First Bank, FUMB (now Fidelity Bank), MTN, Econet, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Nigeria, UAC among many others.

He’s the first Nigerian Creative Director to attend Cannes Advertising Festival as a delegate in 2004. He served as a member of the Management Board of the Lagos Advertising & Ideas Festival (LAIF) from 2006 to 2012. He currently serves as an Adviser to the LAIF Board. He’s the President of the newly formed Creative Directors Circle (CDC)

Noah’s Ark is now evolving into a group of marketing communications service providers with the launch of Integrated Indigo and Underdog Productions in 2013. While the former provides PR, Events Management and Experiential Marketing services, the latter is focused on Audio-Visual Productions and Content Creation.

Beyond advertising, Lanre and his wife ventured into the Quick Service Restaurant sector in 2014 with the launch of Roots Foods Limited. The flagship restaurant of the company, Labule, opened its doors to the public on May 29, 2014.

ENTRY FEE: ₦3500 (Comes with a free meal and drink)

Venue: Labule Restaurant, 42A Ogudu Road, Lagos.




Call Bukky or Blessing on 08086363970 to become a member of the Bella Community and to Register!

This is a real message, so get real and tell somebody

NASME Lagos Quarterly Business Launcheon - 3rd Edition

Don't miss the NASME event this thursday holding at SheratonHotel and Towers, Lagos from 9:30 to 3:30pm. The details are as follows;

To register, send a mail to nasmelagos@gmail.com

It's 5,000 naira for registered members of the association and 8,000 naira for non registered members. For updates and information about the body like the facebook page here.

THEME: 

Challenges of High Micro Credit Interest Rates: Implication for MSME development in Nigeria.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Dr. Mudashiru Olaitan, Director,
Development Finance, Central Bank Of Nigeria.

DATE:

Thursday, July 9th, 2015

TIME:

9:30 - 3:30pm

VENUE:

Sheraton Hotel and Towers
Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way
Ikeja, Lagos.

See you there!!

THE LAND IS GREEN BUSINESS PROGRAM/BOOK LAUNCH

Entrepreneurs occupy a central position in a market economy. For it's the entrepreneurs who serve as the spark plug in the economy's engine, activating and stimulating all economic activity. The economic success of nations worldwide is the result of encouraging and rewarding the entrepreneurial instinct.

A society is prosperous only to the degree to which it rewards and encourages entrepreneurial activity because it is the entrepreneurs and their activities that are the critical determinant of the level of success, prosperity, growth and opportunity in any economy. The most dynamic societies in the world are the ones that have the most entrepreneurs, plus the economic and legal structure to encourage and motivate entrepreneurs to greater activities.

The mandate God gave us is to raise men and women of purpose in business that will have the understanding of seasons of opportunities, and know how to maximise it for the development of our great nation. I chronicles 12vs32.

The benefit of entrepreneurship development programme in any nation cannot be over emphasized.

1. Entrepreneurs reduce the rate of unemployment and provide jobs to the people.
2. Entrepreneurship, helps the economy of any nation to grow and flourish.

The Land Is Green Business Breakfast Meeting is a platform where

1. We empower people with information that will transform their business.

2. We provide the necessary platforms that will help people to maximize opportunities within the life time of the opportunities.

3. We connect them to the right network that will mentor them to help reduce business mortality rate.

4. We raise champions and men of influence in various fields eg- IT, Properties, Manufacturing, Media, Service and so on.

5. We raise leaders that will make change happen- The success and failure of a nation, business or organization can be traced to the kind of leaders they have or their system of government. No nation will grow beyond the quality of leaders they have (and we are not talking government only here).

Lastly, the wealth of a nation depends on the wealth of their entrepreneurs. When we have more entrepreneurs, more wealth will be created for the people.


Join us for The Land Is Green August Special/Book Launch

THEME: Growing The Nigerian Economy Through Entrepreneurship Development
DATE: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015
VENUE: Education Hub, City Hall Lagos Island.
TIME: 10 am (Registration and Exhibition starts 9am)

Speakers are

– +Kehinde John Olagbenjo – Host/Founder

– Tomi Davies – Lagos Angel Network

– Taba Peterside – GM/ Head, Listing Sales& Retention The Nigerian Stock Exchange

– Ndidi O. Nwuneli (MFR) Founder/Director; LEAP Africa

Senator – Babafemi Ojudu – Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

Also Ecobank, Leadway, UBA, GTBANK, Heritage Bank, KBL, Cornerstone, Microsoft, Rise Network and many other great organizations will be around.

Register on www.kjoworld.com or http://thelandisgreenaugustspecial.eventbrite.com

For partnership, advert and exhibition pls. call 08083535857.

Www.kjoworld.com
Www.smebusinessplatformng.com
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