When President Goodluck Jonathan signed into law, the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill, which for more than a decade the Nigerian media and its supporters campaigned for, stakeholders agreed that the president and the National Assembly had given the media an opportunity to advance the cause of democracy as well as the economic and political destiny of the nation. The (FoI) Bill empowered the media and members of the public to seek information at the highest level of governance for the advancement of public good and individual prosperity. The House of Representatives passed the Bill on February 24, 2011 and the Senate delivered on promise on March 16th. Both Chambers passed the harmonized version on May 26, 2011.It was conveyed to President Jonathan on May 27th, and he signed it on May 28, 2011. Ekiti state and Lagos state have since adopted the Freedom of Information Act at state level and extended the response date from 7 days to 14 days.
This bill is perhaps the greatest victory for the Nigerian press regarding its freedom since the military era particularly the Abacha regime during which the official secrecy act and other draconian decrees reigned supreme and the junta’s brutality made it an impossibility to seek public information or criticize government. In this new era, the (FoI) bill makes it an offense punishable by law for any public official to withhold public information from a person who requests for it, such official can be fined to the tune of N500, 000 and may serve one year prison sentence. It also protects the officials who release such information. One of the benefits of the bill is that it helps to fight corruption and provides the public with information by which it could hold public officials accountable. It would also help the governed to understand the government in an in-depth manner. The public can now make an informed opinion concerning national issues and pressure the government accordingly. The media and law enforcement agents are the greatest beneficiary, because they constantly need information to do their work effectively. The ball is now in their courts to ensure that the law helps them to do their work well.
Having suffered in the hands of military dictatorship for a very long time, the way forward for the Nigerian media is to fully exploit the potential of the (FoI) bill for the betterment of Nigerians and our democratic prosperity. The expectations in many quarters is that with the bill, the Nigerian public and the media will be able to enjoy full access to public information at all levels of governance from both the public institutions and private establishments that make use of public funds. However, it seems that this has not been the case as Nigerians still complain about lack of transparency, for example, during the recent NLC industrial strike and the subsidy removal saga, many still talked about the lack of transparency of the Nigerian oil sector. No one knows who the so-called cabals are or those who are behind the reported corruption of the oil sector. A massive flow of information in the media would contribute to press freedom and robust journalism. Taking the subsidy issue as an example, it is easy to observe the widespread ignorance that surrounded the matter. Most Nigerians on the streets who carried placards did not understand the meaning of the word subsidy, and the issues that surround it; even the very educated ones are not really clear about what was going on. Many were on the streets because the price of fuel has gone up, transportation fare has risen and pure sachet water was no longer selling at N5 naira.
The Nigerian media need to rise up to the occasion and do what is expected. It is impossible for investigative journalism to thrive unless the media rises to implement the (FoI) bill in full gear. The Nigerian Union of journalists must come together to set up a strategy for its full implementation at all levels so that Nigeria can reap the gains. Everyone agrees that corruption is the bane of the Nigerian society since one of the benefits of the bill is to fight corruption, it places a responsibility on the Nigerian media to ensure that government officials do not hide information that can help Nigerians hold them accountable.
Alfred Opubor, Nigeria’s first mass communication professor, was reported to be fond of drumming it into his students’ ears at the University of Lagos in the mid 1970s that “facts are sacred, but comment is free” and “every conscientious reporter must take steps to speak to all relevant parties before filing a story”. What the professor was saying was that the cardinal principles of journalism should be practiced in Nigeria as well. This (FoI) presents a unique opportunity for the Nigerian media to go all out for information and inform the average Nigerian in such a way that he can no longer be deceived by unscrupulous politicians and business men, looting public funds.
The media must ensure that it is no longer business as usual and that the (FoI) bill does not become another one of Nigeria’s laws that fail at implementation. It must not become a toothless bulldog that looks scary but cannot bite. Unless, the media enforces this law, no one will, and the situation would remain like the past, when it was difficult to obtain useful information and officials were scared of loosing their jobs if they released certain information, since they did not have a legal backing. Today, the situation has changed with the bill signed into law. It is now left for the Nigerian media to bring the law out of the cupboards and put it into action. All the civil rights organizations, Newspaper Proprietors Association, lawyers, members of the academia, journalists, who fought for the signing into law of the bill need not go to sleep because the fight is not yet over. The fight should continue until we see that there is a free flow of information at all levels of governance and those who need information get them. The stakeholders who fought for the bill should ensure that it truly contributes to press freedom and that all secret information are released so that the nation can thrive, not in the shadow of lies and deceit but in the light of truth and economic prosperity.

How did the music start?
I have been doing music for a long time and I have just released a new single titled: ‘‘Follow me,’’ It’s about 10 years since I started performing music professionally. I started in school but I am trying to exhibit it to everyone now. I was in Osun state College of Technology, in Esa-Oke. I was reading Mathematics’ and Statistics. My friends used to come and see me in my room and then I was always singing for them. While I was in school, I had many friends partly because of my father’s legacy. People were drawn to whatever I say, they laughed even when it wasn’t funny. Many people thought I would go into drama and not music actually but I have always loved music and I have to do what I love. Even my father thought I was going into drama I am good in acting but for now, I want to focus on music and then may be later on, I will go into drama. I do not want to start drama first because if I do that I will not be able to go into music.
It is not that music is easier. In fact, music is harder and much more challenging. You have to create a sound, that many people would love to listen to all the time. In Drama, if you can act most of the works are already done. All you need to do is to pick up your script and get on set. Music on the hand, takes a lot from you. You need to do everything yourself, especially in Nigeria where we do not have proper recording companies. You have to do all the aspect of the business yourself.

How about Funding?
People have argued that I should go into Drama first and then branch into music later or do both, side by side but I tell you., it is not that easy. My father started as a musician but he has to abandon music for king sunny Ade. He could not combine it. The moment he realized that he was good in comedy and he was making it, he became distracted; you just have to face one. The argument that I should go into drama and used the money there to fund music is not acceptable to me. One will always find a way to make it. I have a good direction of where I am going. Look at Wasiu Alabi Pasoma. When he started acting, all the Yoruba actors began calling him to come and act in their movies, his fan base in the music scene began to decline. You se, he had to go back and re-focus on his music. Anything that we need to do that is great, require focus and determination and most of the time it is not easy.

What do you have to say about your father?
I want to say that I am very proud to be his son. He is truly a legend, an icon and he got to the peak of his career. It was not easy for him though. He suffered in the hands of piracy and he almost commit suicide but for the intervention of people like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Olusegun Obasanjo, and many eminent Nigerians who stood by him. It was then, that he released Mosebolatan. That was the movie that consoled him. It was well received despite the fact that Orun Mooru was pirated. I am glad that he was able to survive that era although he sold some choice property to settle the loan that was used to finance that movie. Piracy remained one of the great problems of our nation. We cannot fold our hands and looked and allow it to destroy our entertainment industry. You see, my father took great pains in producing his movies, if you put any of those movie to the cinema today, people would still rush to see them because of the kind of quality and technology that went into the production. He took a huge loan from the bank and piracy dealt with him. Tunde Kelani, in the UK shot the movie. It was a great one. I am happy that he survived that period.
What I admire about my father is his humility. He became so famous and he made money but you cannot see any sign of pride in him because he never allow those things to get into his head. His humility is very profound. We never had any security guard at home when my father was in active entertainment. He is a very simple man because; you never know how rich or how poor he was. He took life simply.

His new album, Follow Me,
The hit song is Hip Pop, it is a very danceable, club and party song. It has some very serious local percussion and it talks about the beauty of Nigerian ladies. We have been working on it for about a month now and now it is out, It is currently enjoying airplay on radio stations across the country. I have a management company in the United States. They saw my single on You tube and they loved it. I released two singles last year and so this is not the first. I also did a collaboration with a group based in the US. I have not been discussing with any Nigerian record label. I am still on the look out. I am looking for a label that loves my work and is passionate about promoting it. Look at Mo Hits records, they do quality music and everything they release is superb because they do their home work . My father used to say that the next generation would see his movie and that they are evergreen. This is because the movies are well produced and they do not use foul language. Every song cannot be about women. We need to sing songs that add values to the society. I love Michael Jackson because of this. His lyrics are good. They have deep meanings. If you do a song and three or four years after, people cannot relate with it and love it you did not do a good job. My father said when he wants to shoot his movie, it cam take a whole year and sometimes two. Orun Mooru was shot by a film company in the UK. They used to study the weather before they go to locations in those days. They were experts. I appreciate King Sunny Ade too. I was with him at his home once. He hosted me. I always call him on phone. He accommodated me and he encouraged me.

Message to His fans.
I want to tell my fans that they should watch out for me. Follow me is hot. They should expect more from me. I will not let them down. I want to thank all those who believe in me.

The marketing convergence of the movie and the corporate world has been described as a necessary one which has to be developed if the fledging Nigerian movie industry popularly known Nollywood should move forward with its attendant benefits for nation branding.
Elimihe Osezuah, CEO Elose Plus Media Limited, made this observation in a recent chat with our correspondent. He says “Good movie cannot be successfully done in present day Nigeria without informed and selfless co-operation between the corporate world, which constantly stands in need of the best and cost friendly ways to mobilise its top marketing millions, and the idea driven, highly credible world of entertainment. This has to happen by way of supporting great works of entertainment through the phenomenon of branded entertainment whose return on Investment (ROI) to the brand can hardly be rivaled elsewhere”.
According to Osezuah, the business of movie making and television is founded on realism, which is a veritable environment for brand growth though realism does not mean life cannot be edited. For him, real life can be very boring between take-off and landing points. However, in movie, there must not be a dull moment, but every director worth the title, must ensure that the connections are realistic. “There are two things crucial to marketing in movie making before you start talking of technology: story and theme. Every story must have a socially relevant message, flow on a universally logical plot and be delivered within a technological tradition that resonates with human nature.
For brands to fully explore this opportunity, marketers and agencies must understand the nitty gritty of branded entertainment. For now, it has been confirmed that over 40% of traditional advertising spend is wasted worldwide because of the phenomenon of selective attention of the targets. Marketers can successfully gauge the media habits of their targets, but that is just the beginning, what will make them listen attentively to your pitch when you meet them when watching a Champions League game, for instance? With an expertly orchestrated branded entertainment campaign, the story is always different, because you take your message to your targets through their gods and idols on the screens, he explains.
Advertisement has been seen as a message from a paid sponsor about an identified product to a specific target, with the intention of getting favourable response from that target in favour of that product. So believability is negatively affected!
Expatiating further, he says that the concept of branded entertainment on the other hand is a public relations styled third party endorsement. It does not sing the praises of brands in a movie, rather it plays on the qualities and essence of the brand. The assignment of the branded entertainment practitioner is to place the brand in its natural habitat (expected environment) to breathe and live in a movie. A deep knowledge in branding and production surely sets the real placement Agency practitioner apart. “Branded entertainment plays on the product in use and this has to do with the person using it, his social status, the place it is used, the time and mode of use. It can also be used to teach people other ways it can be used. Above all, deploying the concept in support of a brand is more cost effective compared to the huge financial outlay on traditional advertising. However, branded entertainment is not an alternative to traditional advertising, but a support to it”.
All these are possible because resentment in branded entertainment is extremely low. According to him, the audience has made up its mind to watch the movie and the characters in the movie are doing things that are credible within a credible medium. Research has also confirmed that when theatre goers go to the theatre the guard against advertisement is lowered, while the viewer’s attention is drawn to the brand in a systematic way and usually by a third party who helps to build emotion around the brand. Branded entertainment needs a thorough application of the branding theory, submitted Osezuah.
To execute a branded entertainment campaign, a legal agreement between the marketer and agency is necessary in stipulating the agreed deliverables. Talking about deliverables, he submits that while in traditional advertising TV and Radio spots are harshly marred by limitations occasioned time constraints, in branded entertainment the advertiser is on a platform on which he or she can credibly explore. This is because more time span is possibly allotted to the brand without necessarily having to spend much. He adds that branded entertainment could be used as agents of political socialization, to feel pulse of the populace on some knotty policy issues and ideas of government. Governments all over the world, except you-know-where, use the business of TV and cinema to sell their ideals, inspire their peoples to achieve and attain and so instigate national development and social cohesion. How much do Nigerians know about the heroism of Nigerian soldiers at ECOMOG from the days of IBB to OBJ? Whereas everyone in the world is aware of the heroism of American soldiers in Vietnam and Iraq!
Despite, these advantages enumerated by Osezuah, the lack of understanding of the concept has perhaps alienated the corporate world from getting into branded entertainment via the movies. “This explains why movies could not attract this enormous support as it is popularly done elsewhere in Europe, the America and some parts of media conscious Africa. We must all understand that Television and Cinema are primarily cultural platforms, and the producers, directors, actors and all the minds that orchestrate contents for them are cultural agents who must be given wings to soar if the society will ever gain relevance in this world.
Speaking on the issue that some marketers hold that Nollywood stars cannot sell their brands, he says “There is no argument more uninformed that this. The medium is not personal, it is communal and within it is the magic of trust. When the story and all elements of the production are well construed and executed the individuals in it are lost to the world of realism it evokes. I tell Broad Street, put their money into Surulere (Nollywood) and Nigeria will grow faster and stronger economically. However, a thorough understanding of the subject and its business, and aligning with a professional branded entertainment agency is bound to deliver the goods and move the brand idea forward, because a truly branded entertainment agency goes as far as doctoring the script to meet with world class standards, planting the brand message into the script in a very credible and logical way so that it does not appear like an annoying tacking which is what we often see on our screens and ensuring that legal documentation is done properly.
During shoot the branded entertainment experts are present to ensure that the terms of the clients are respected, and after editing they also preview the film to be really sure. Owing to the level of professionalism and knowledge base of the business, the entry level is rather high. Elose Plus media Limited is humble to be a known player in that business in Nigeria.

The background to this is that in Vietnam, the intense competition brought about by several operators’ offerings of 3G services has led to a situation where price slashes are commonplace and subscription charges have been lowered dangerously close to cost.
Vietnam’s government is preparing to tighten controls on the pricing offered by the country’s mobile networks to prevent loss-leading promotions by the companies.
The plan to strengthen regulations came after the Information and Communications Ministry, in that country, ordered mobile network Beeline to end a sales promotion that it believed was illegal.
Vietnam’s regulations stipulate that a consumer bonus cannot exceed 50 percent of the value of the product they are selling.
Such a regulation has become necessary for Nigerian operators not only to ensure that indigenous companies do not fizzle out but also to ensure a more robust industry targeted only at adding value to customers while they compete on the basis of differentiation.
The dangers in price competition were recently brought home by the decision of one operator in the Nigerian market to replicate price slashes from the home market. But to slash prices, operating cost must be low. It was this attempt at cost cutting that led to an attempt to slash workers pay and kick out a good many. But the company got the full umbrage of the Nigeria work force in the form of the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC).
That action by the GSM Company provides only a keyhole peek at the pains associated with a price war. Should that action have succeeded, it would have set up a massive domino in the industry that would have other providers copying the ignominious action just to be in business. In case you don’t realize, companies are notorious for copying. This time, they may just be copying their epitaphs.
It is instructive to note that the home grownl competitor is likely to be the first to be asphyxiated in this price and counter-price mêlée; the foreign companies have very deep pockets and are able to fork-in cash from their home markets and other mature markets where they operate. Where would the local firm look to for funds to fight this war? Wars are very expensive enterprise.
It is rather unfortunate that the customer cannot stop these battles. They are not in his powers; it lies in the hands of the competitors themselves to call a truce and enter into treaties that forbid price wars.
They should base competition on value and the level of satisfaction and customer experience they are able to deliver. Yes, this is what strategy gurus like Michael Porter and C.K Prahalad (May his soul rest in peace) have been advocating.
Resort to competition on the more benign platform of value creation is the reason why the more developed countries continue to produce winning companies that would continue to dominate the world.
Our companies mayn’t dominate the world in another one hundred years but we can certaily get things right in vital sectors of the economy to make us reckon among the developed countries in that time frame. We can start by building winning telecom companies that compete on the basis of value creation other than price.

His Royal Highness, Igwe (Dr) Kenneth O N Orizu III, the Igwe of Nnewi has paid tribute to MTN for ‘elevating the Ofala festival to a much higher level of attraction.’
The 48th Ofala Igwe Nnewi was marked recently with about a week long activities involving all citizens of Nnewi, their friends and well-wishers. The highpoint was sounded like ‘a state of the kingdom address,’ tagged ‘speech from the throne’ by Igwe Orizu III in which he touched on the state of the nation (Nigeria) calling on his domain’s elected representatives (which now includes his biological son, Chukwudi) to use their good offices to ensure implementation of projects already approved for the town by several governments, while also making efforts to attract new ones.
Ugonwa Nwoye, General Manager, Products and Services, MTN Nigeria expressed pleasure that the event lived up to expectation, attracting massive turnout from across the world. She explained that ‘MTN has been doing this (sponsoring the Ofala Igwe Nnewi) for the past five years’, because ‘Nnewi is a very strong market for MTN,’ which has led to a very important relationship with the Nnewi people,’ through this platform.
She also expressed happiness that the Ofala festival has proved a platform for MTN to live up to its brand promise of enriching lives by promoting the peoples cultural values. Her words: ‘MTN is proud to be in Nigeria. We are proud to support the culture, tradition and heritage of the Nigerian people. Nnewi is a very strong market for MTN and we are doing this to enrich the lives of Nnewi people.’
Nwoye explained that MTN’s culture fest, enables it connect with the peoples’ culture in all its areas of operations which in this particular case of sponsoring the Ofala Igwe Nnewi festival reinforces the brand’s connect with Nnewi people and their Igwe because the ‘Ofala is the major cultural festival in Nnewi. We are very interested in Nnewi people,’ she expounded.
The Y’ello bounty team was at the Ofala festival to add variety to entertainment and enrich the people’s lives with easy to win promos, which the General Managers disclosed is a regular brand building effort meant to bond the people with their telephone service provider. She recalled that the strong entrepreneurship spirit of Nnewi people was well known across the world and whoever wanted to be a leading player in any area of business, must do business in Nnewi.
The massive turnout at the Igwe’s palace for the Ofala made it clear that the people’s confidence in their royal father has continued to grow over the years. They have indeed become one with their Igwe. This has led to the people electing Chukwudi Orizu, the Igwe’s son to represent them in the Anambra State House of Assembly. The Igwe’s overwhelming acceptance across the State has also seen the younger Orizu elected the deputy speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly with the Igwe promising that the tale will be ‘like father like son.’
The Igwe can give this undertaking because he has in no small way made the lives of his people richer having seen his kingdom transform from a small town to a world-famous industrial city during his reign. MTN and Igwe Orizu III share several commonalities and brand fits; while the Igwe has seen his city transformed during his reign, MTN has transformed the way Nigerians communicate and do business, in this both have made the people’s lives richer. Igwe Orizu III is etching towards his golden jubilee on the throne of his fathers, while MTN has etched itself in gold in the hearts of several subscribers whose lives it has transformed.
It is no surprise that MTN, the biggest telecommunications brand in Africa and the Middle East has identified with Igwe Orizu III in making his Ofala grand year in year out. The corporate endorsement has in several ways propelled the annual fiesta to a level that it now draws attendance from several parts of the world. Nwoye said that MTN acknowledges the bond between the Igwe of Nnewi and his people which has influenced the relationship between the brands. ‘The royal father and the people are not at all separate. We see them as one. We are honoured to be associated with the Igwe of Nnewi.’
This oneness is also acknowledged by Igwe Orizu III. The royal father in thanking the people for electing his son to the house of assembly said: ‘I cannot thank you enough as I see the massive turnout and enthusiasm you exhibited during the election as a demonstration of your love and confidence in me.’ The massive turnout at the Ofala and the endorsement of the Igwe even as a political brand by electing his son to represent the people are all pointers that the people and their Igwe are one.
Lady Virgy Etiaba, former governor of Anambra State while lauding MTN for lending its weight towards the Ofala festival identified MTN and the Igwe as two enduring brands set for the long haul. She attributed the Igwe’s staying power to his fear of God and love for the people. ‘The Igwe has given himself to the people,’ Etiaba said.
For MTN, the Ofala festival is a chance to give back to the people that have shown loyalty over the years. The Ofala festival is chosen because of the bond it holds between the Igwe and his people, with majority of them on the MTN network. Little wonder Nwoye opined that for MTN there is no boundary between the Igwe and the people.
What is important to MTN is that Nnewi is a very strong market and the company would leave no stone unturned in living up to its brand promise of making lives richer, the General Manager explained. Perhaps this is why customer engagement activities are not limited to the Ofala festival, the Y’ello Bounty Train is regularly on the prowl, making people happy and enriching their lives with easy to win promos. The numerous corporate social responsibility initiatives of MTN are also available for Nnewi people to benefit from, just as subscribers in other parts of the country.
Dr Edwin Chukwuma, a citizen of Otolo Nnewi who lectures at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko was at home to grace the 48th Ofala of Igwe Orizu III. He spoke about Igwe Orizu III in glowing terms. Chukwuma credited the Igwe with the transformation that Nnewi has witnessed over the years which has in turn earned him the confidence and loyalty of the people.
‘The Ofala,’ according to Chukwuma, is significant because, ‘it is the anniversary of the coronation of the Igwe. It has also become a rallying point for the people of the town as well as their friends to demonstrate loyalty to the royal father.’
Igwe Orizu III has over the years, through exemplary leadership transformed himself beyond the status of a mere traditional ruler. He has become something like the voice and rallying point of the people of Nnewi, wielding his influence on business, government and political decisions far beyond his immediate domain.
It now follows that several decisions of importance to the people of Nnewi are taken between Christmas and New Year as prominent sons and daughters of the town troop home in solidarity with their Igwe during his Ofala, with opportunities taken to meet and resolve critical issues of general interest to the town and people.
The 48th Ofala Igwe Nnewi might have come and gone but if the massive turnout of Nnewi people and their friends from within and outside Nigeria is ephemeral, a full colour 194-page magazine of the 48th Ofala Festival that features who is who in Nnewi as well as Nigerian business circles testifies that Igwe Orizu III is a well accepted personality brand and traditional ruler in a much more permanent form.
Given all that transpired at the 48th Ofala Igwe Nnewi, the relationship between the people of Nnewi, Igwe Orizu III and MTN is set to witness more days as the people prayed for the longevity of their royal father and more success for MTN that has elevated the Ofala festival to a much higher level of attraction at the ceremony. MTN’s stance seemed clearly expressed in the words of its General Manager, ‘we have done 10 years in Nigeria and have been thanking the people. Expect more.’
As the world awaits the 49th Ofala Igwe Nnewi, come December 2012, it can only be hoped that the expectations of the people for fulfilment of promises shall come with it. Hopefully, MTN will also be there to make the people’s lives richer.

Tell us about this new company?
Solution Media and Infotech limited is a Professional, Interactive, Creative and Hi-tech multimedia company, which uses informative presentation such as light, sound, graphics and laser light effects etc to achieve an excellent result. We make use of an attractive and technologically advanced approach for all our clients through an optically pleasant and impressive technological environment. We endorse the principles of corporate responsibility through our sustainable-development strategies and the policies affecting our employees and the community.
Our Philosophy is to create an exciting and new spectacular entertainment experience for our clients by bringing together cutting-edge product with latest technological contents and services. We are committed to developing a wide range of fresh ideas and multimedia services that challenge the way people access and enjoy entertainment, by ensuring synergy between businesses and their respective organization.
We are constantly striving to create an exciting new world of entertainment that can be experienced on a variety of our different services.
We believe in the “WOW” factor for every project we undertake. Our team’s diversity and wealth of experience, combined with our abundant creativity, ensure our clients receive a professional and reliable service with the best possible end product to represent their business.

Why the combination, Solution Media and Infotech?
There is a media aspect of the business, which goes into cinematography, documentaries, post production and also the infotech which is the IT aspect of the lazer, but all of them are all linked to entertainment. This indicates that what encompasses solution media is the pure entertainment in a new innovative dimension.

How do you hope this will influence the market or industry based on what is hitherto on ground?
Although, the industry is doing well at the current level, however, what we have done is to play the game at a high-tech level by bringing in innovation into the marketing, advertising and media industry. By this I mean, we support the advertising agencies and the industry at large with the latest technology and world class equipment that they can get anywhere in the world. We are a solely indigenous Nigerian company with expertise in various areas of specialization, which includes Cinematography, Media & Post Production, 3D Laser & Multimedia Displays, Music Water Fountain, Projection Screens, Digital Large Screen Prints, Mobile Smart stage T180, Grand Stand ( bravo pro 122).
Our experience of human potential in combination with the latest technology and our big circle of collaborators in the field of multimedia make each project a unique piece of art.
We pride ourselves on developing strong and long-term relationships with our clients, as well as responding to their individual priorities with solutions that are tailored to their requirements, time-frames and budgets.

Can we say solution media is ready for the task ahead interms of acceptability in a competitive market like ours?
I don’t think Nigeria is not ready to the level of seeing an advanced equipment at their door step and ignoring or not ready to accept it. Before now, quite a number of things have taken place in area of production, most of the adverts, especially electronic commercials are taken out of Nigeria for production in South Africa, sometimes Europe, even in Kenya, using equipments that they claim are not available here. What Solution media has done is not to be on the same level with them, but to surpass them. By so doing, people don’t have to go to these foreign countries anymore at least for pre or post production and the likes. For instance we have available here Phantom flex, an American camera tagged ‘what the eye cannot see’ used for commercial production. It is only available in seven places in the world, with Solution Media having the only one in Africa. This can be checked online. Phantom Flex is not available even in South Africa where our people run to for production. What they have is “Phantom Gold” and they used it for the World Cup. It is lower in grade compared to Phantom Flex. So, there is no reason not to call this camera, ‘what the eye cannot see’. With these kind of machines, the clients and agencies have no further reasons to take all the commercial advert out of this nation into another country all in the name of production. Of course, such attitudes generate employments for the foreign country while it further create and aggravate unemployment in Nigeria.
Just another example on the innovative angle, we have the smart stage. It is a mobile stage measuring 50metres x 12metres x 10metres. This type of stage is only exists in three places in the world – two in Europe and one in Nigeria. That is what we set up and used for our launch event last Wednesday at the TBS. Those who were there could attest to it’s beautify. Right from the minute it was set up, enquiries has been massive. The event was aptly tagged “a glance into the 22nd century.”

Nollywood shoots hundreds of films every year, what would be your solution to this?
Our system in Solution Media is such that will not have to produce quantity but quality films, documentaries that can compete at the international level. What we see in Africa is the Whites/foreigners telling our story from their own perspective, while we fold our arms. Solution media has decided to tell these stories themselves in documentaries, which will be acceptable on CNN and other international stations. We have a Sony F35 which is a Cinema camera with 5K resolution and a Sony F3 – a digital camera with very powerful lenses that gives a clear picture as a processed film without editing. Of course, we have EX3 which is the high end camera which everybody has in Nigeria. All these powerful equipments will bring the Nigerian stories, festivals and events better than or as good as theirs. Good stories told about the country will encourage tourism, differentiation and branding.
What do you say about the costing, some claim it is less expensive to shoot commercials abroad?
That is very incorrect and it is not an excuse for taking jobs abroad. Talking about the available manpower, cameras, and other equipment, Nigeria is likely the cheapest compared to what they have abroad. A cameraman in Europe earns nothing less than 500 Euros per day with other expenses. But here, it is not as expensive despite using the same quality equipments and highly trained and skilled man power that we have onboard. The European standard we need is now here in Nigeria at an affordable rate.

One thing is to have powerful equipments on ground, another thing is for these equipments to be handled by professionals; what do you have to say to this?
Nigerians are very intelligent, despite this; we have invested in human capital development. We give lots of training to our staff who are already certified operators by the manufacturers. A total of 32 staff of the company have been trained abroad in areas such as camera handling, editing, directing, and the likes. The training is also a continuous one both in and outside the country. We have equipments and competent men to handle them. You could see them demonstrate their competencies at our launch event.
How do you manage the beautiful sceneries for the commercials that mostly take agencies abroad?
Beautiful sceneries are available here. Those that are not, could be created using the high-tech system at our disposal. They are there and plenty of them too. I can put you in a green studio and you will be amazed of the outcome. The clients should not be worried

When it was announced that the late Alex Uruemu Ibru, founder of the Guardian Newspaper had passed away, numerous observers were quick to recollect his celebrated escape from the hands of hired assassins who were sent to end his life under the administration of the late military dictator, General Sanni Ababcha under who Alex ironically served as a Minister of Internal Affairs from 1993 to 1995. Alex was a symbol of Nigerian journalism and freedom of expression although he was never an active reporter. Many have observed with curious enthusiasm the hidden intention of the late dictator when he appointed Ibru as a Minister. It was clear that the junta wanted Alex to use the highly respected newspaper to promote Abacha’s political agenda in Nigeria. Abacha failed to remember that the motto of the Guardian Newspaper was Conscience nurtured by Truth, a motto that the newspaper had stuck with to this day. This has earned it immense respect in Nigerian journalism and placed it in a position of honour since it stood by its avowed codes of conduct. Ibru believed that journalists who loves the profession and are willing to use the media as a tool for societal emancipation should run the Guardian. Trouble started when the Guardian, contrary to Abacha’s expectations remained critical of the military junta. Ibru could have used his position as the chairman of the Guardian Newspaper to influence editorial content in favour of Abacha but he did not do this even at the risk of his own life. Alex succeeded in making the Guardian newspaper a force to be reckoned with in Nigerian journalism. He believed in the truth and he did not accept that truth should be purchased with money or even position. He therefore allowed his editors to practice journalism without any parochial interest and express what they sincerely believe, in accordance with the dictates of their conscience. This stance has earned the newspaper, the title: flagship of Nigerian journalism.
Anyone who is a journalist or has anything to do with the media at one time or the other has something to do with the Guardian. This is the high pride of place that Ibru’s integrity has placed the Guardian Newspaper. He allowed the Newspaper to serve as a tool for mass communication and professional journalism practice with a sense for national responsibility. The success of the Guardian Newspaper was an inspiration to other Nigerian newspaper and news magazines such as News-watch magazine, Tell, Tempo, The week and many others who were responsible for the emergence of guerilla journalism in Nigeria. It led to the rise of a Nigerian media that was determined to oppose anti democratic forces despite persecutions from the government.
An example of this scenario was the Nigerian press during the years of military rule. The Buhari and Babangida regimes utilized draconian legal instruments such as Decree 2 and Decree 4 to disturb the media. The notable collisions of press freedom and military dictatorship resulted in the incarcerations of many reporters under those regimes. Under the Babangida era, the suppression of the press was fired up with the parcel-bomb killing of Dele Giwa and the proscription of Newswatch magazine. The Abacha junta also declared war against the press. Reporters were tried as conspirators in coup-plots and jailed without appropriate trials. The regimes murdered journalists such as Bagauda Kaltho. Security operatives’ harassed even newsvendors while The Guardian were shut down on 14 August 1994. The assassination attempt on Ibru On February 2 1996 left him with one eye. His car was sprayed with machine gun fire from men who had trailed him in a deep-blue Peugeot. Both Ibru and the editor-in-chief Femi Kusa were flown to England for treatment of their injuries After Abacha’s death in 1998, his Chief Security OfficeR, aL Mustapha and others were charged with the assassination attempt on his life/
Abacha’s demise in 1998 and the return to democracy in 1999 were seen as a much-deserved victory for the Nigerian press.
In addition, Alex ibru was able to simultaneously craft the Guardian Newspaper into a successful business operation without compromising those high values. It is clear that the media entrepreneur must focus on two goals: truth and profit. Truth is the correct information to give to a society and a society that must move forward require knowing the truth and nothing but the truth.
A newspaper is also a business and requires profit to validate its existence. Ibru was able to achieve this and this is what all media entrepreneurs should take from him; the ability to stand firm for the truth and to sustain the media enterprise as a profitable business.
A publication devoted to truth should yield profit. This ideal situation is also the rarest. Media entrepreneurs all over the world also find it necessary to balance the two objectives and it can be a delicate situation. The goal of truth is subordinated to the bottom line. It is in this tragic situation that the Nigerian press sometimes finds itself.
Ibru was also able to detach himself from the newspaper. He refused to influence the newspapers editorial content while holding to his post as a businessman. He gave the journalists freedom to do their job. According to Debo Adesina, the present editor of the Guardian, the newspaper will outlive Ibru and continue the good work.
Ibru was born on 1 March 1945 in Agbhara-Otor, in today’s Delta State. He attended the Yaba Methodist Primary School (1951-1957), Ibadan Grammar School (1958-1960), Igbobi College, Lagos (1960-1963) and the Trent Polytechnich in the United Kingdom (1967-1970), where he studied Business Economics
Alex Ibru was appointed chairman of Rutam Motors. In 1983 he met with newspapermen Stanley Mecebuh of the Daily times and Dele Cole also formerly of that paper and Segun Osoba, formerly of the Nigerian Herald. With 55% funding from the Ibrus, they launched the Guardian newspaper in 1983, with Alex Ibru became the chairman. Ibru also provided funding to the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), established during the military regime of Buhari’s successor, General Ibrahim Babangida.
Alex Ibru died on 20 November 2011, aged 66

Heineken Nigeria recently launched a product; can you tell us what it was?
Recently, we launched the Heineken magnum stroke one and the half bottle, with the same premium lager beer of Heineken international beer because Heineken is the same everywhere in the world. We launched our Heineken magnum on 11-11-11. The Heineken magnum is 150cl of international premium; it comes in an impressive bottle, so far the biggest bottle, 150cl, twice as big as the normal lager beer. The bottle comes with a cork, which means you have to pop it. It is the only beer that pops! It is a bottle uniquely designed for sharing, at every premium occasion, from a casual gathering with friends to a big celebratory moment. You are not supposed to drink the Heineken magnum lager beer alone; it is supposed to be shared with friends.

What makes the magnum bottle special?
One of the characteristics of the Heineken brand is it is an ‘innovative brand’. The size of the Heineken magnum bottle makes it special, like I said before it is more than twice as big as the normal lager beer. It is the biggest bottle so far. It is a 150cl of international premium Heineken lager beer; it means you cannot drink it on your own because at Heineken, we want you to drink responsibly, so we encourage you to share it with your friends. It is a bottle that comes with a cork, and a cork should be popped. Popping the bottle provides an exciting and premium experience.
With these, the magnum is a proposition that is meant for any celebration or premium gathering with your friends, both in a bar or at home, it is indeed a bottle to make an impression. It is an addition to the existing portfolio for those special moments when you want to share and celebrate.

What makes Heineken magnum lager beer different from the normal lager beer we use to have?
There is no difference, it is the same high quality Heineken lager beer, only now in a unique 150cl bottle. The Heineken magnum like all the Heineken lager beer contains 5% alcoholic volume. It has got the same beer inside. Heineken is sold in more than 170 countries and it is the same worldwide. In every country, whether it is the small or ionic bottle it is the same great taste. It is exactly the same recipe. It is made from three natural main ingredients, which is “water, malted barley and hop”. Brewing Heineken takes twice as much time as brewing other lager beers to give it the typical Heineken great taste.

What will you say differentiates the Heineken lager beer from other alcoholic drink?
The Heineken brand is a lager beer. It is made from 3 natural finest ingredients water, malted barley and hop’. Brewing Heineken takes twice as much time as brewing other lager beers because we strive for the perfect quality. The position of the brand or the perception of the beer makes a difference because Nigerians think Heineken is the most superior lager beer. It is also the most expensive beer, making it the most premium beer in Nigeria. It is the most superior lager beer in Nigeria. And the world’s leading lager beer.
When you launched the Magnum bottle, did you just gain entrance in Nigeria Alone?
Magnum bottle has been in other countries, it just came newly into Nigeria. The production line was shipped into Nigeria from Europe.

What has been the feedback/reception since you launched the magnum bottle?
We launched on the 11-11-11, in a big event tagged the hat trick, where we launched three products, that night in the Nigerian breweries. The Heineken magnum bottle was the climax; we had a 6metres magnum bottle on stage, very impressive. The launch event was marked with the entrance of the Heineken man of the world from the entrance TV commercial, Eric Monjoin “Heineken man of the year” an iconic man that featured in Heineken’s Global campaign. Eric makes legendary party entrance. We had a teaser campaign, where we told them “The Chairman had an announcement to make” it was a captivating moment. And people were really speculating and excited.
On that night, people got a chance to pop a bottle for the first time by perfect serve; you should always be served in an ice bucket with the premium Heineken prestige glasses. In our campaign we did a lot of advert and front page campaign in the newspaper. And in Lagos, we have a lot of 3d outdoor advert.
However, we have a lot of demands presently; currently we cannot meet the demands of our consumers. Every morning, we put a truck in front of Shoprite and in the afternoon, the drinks are exhausted. We also use facebook a lot to communicate with our consumers, having more than 60000 fans and we have been getting lots of positive response from them.

How visible is the Heineken magnum bottle in the market?
We just started now, our sales people are presently in premium bars. We want selected distribution, Magnum is not for everyone, It is very inspirational, so we will only sell it in the cosmopolitan cities in Nigeria; Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Enugu. We will only sell it in very premium bars, clubs and supermarkets.

What was the reason behind the innovation .e.g. moving from can/bottle Heineken to the magnum bottle?
We did not move from the 60cl bottle or the 33cl. As a leading brand in the international premium segment, we should be the first; we want to be the leader in innovation for the beer category worldwide. We also want the brand to continue to be highly inspirational, so for every event, when you are with more friends, then you can share the magnum premium beer.
We want to keep surprising our consumers and tap into new consumption moments. With Heineken magnum bottle in Nigeria, we have a unique proposition that is relevant for every premium celebratory occasion. And we know that in Nigeria there is always a reason to celebrate. Also with Heineken Magnum, Nigerians can actually share a beer for the first time.

What is the optimism of Heineken lager in Nigeria in the next 5 years?
Heineken is a beer of the world for the man of the world. We are the number 1 international premium beer in the world. We hope that people will have their occasion and think of it as an occasion to celebrate with the magnum bottle. We hope that people will still find it inspirational to order for the magnum bottle.

Can we meet you?
My name is Jacqueline van Faassen; I am the Senior Brand Manager. I am Dutch, coming from Netherland; I have lived at Amsterdam before, where Heineken originally came from. I have been in Nigeria for nine months now, and it has been so exciting, I love the Nigerian people because they really work hard and they really want to move forward, and it is dynamic. There is a lot of sense of humour and never a dull moment with Nigerians.