Business

GLO Rewards 60 Customers In Rivers

Published

6 years ago

November 8, 2019

Leading mobile operator, Glo has rewarded a total of 60 customers in Rivers State with various prizes ranging from tricycles, industrial sewing machines, power generating sets and grinding mills as part of its recharge and win big promo.
Five persons won the star prize of tricycles, popularly called Keke, 20 won sewing machines, another 20 won sumec power generating sets, while 15 others went home with grinding mills during a colourful ceremony held at the Rumuwoji, Mile one Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday.
Speaking at the prize presentation of the consumer reward promo popularly called ‘My Own Don Beta’ Regional Manager of Glo, South-South, Augustine Mamuro said similar presentations were held in Ojuelegba, Lagos State and Wuse, Abuja respectively, where Glo kept its promises by delivering prizes won by lucky customers.
Mamuro further said the event was in fulfillment of the company’s pledge to continuously explore ways to delight its customers and add value to their lives.
He said, “In each of the locations, lucky subscribers who emerged from our transparent draws witnessed by the representatives of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and National Lottery Regulatory Commission went home with tricycles, industrial sewing machines, grinding mills and power generators.”
While congratulating those who received prizes in Port Harcourt, he said that Glo will continue to spread joy across Nigeria, noting that from Port Harcourt, “we will be going to Ibadan to redeem the prizes to winners who will emerge in today’s (Wednesday) draw.
“From Ibadan, we will move to other locations spread across the country in continuation of the promo. This promo which you all popularly call “My Own Don Beta!” is a demonstration of the power of N200. In this promo, with N200, you can own a tricycle, industrial sewing machine, grinding mill and power generator which are empowerment tools that will enable hundreds of Nigerians to create wealth and become employers of labour,” The Glo Regional Manager stated.
He further said that the gesture was in tandem with the company’s empowerment mantra that “It is better to give somebody a platform to earn a living than giving such a person handout,” adding that lives are being transformed through the promo and encouraged subscribers of the mobile operator to take advantage of the opportunity. Simply recharge with only N200 at once or cumulatively daily and you could be one of the winners of our fantastic prizes. Keep recharging to enhance your chances of winning,” Mamuro said.
In her remark, Head, Port Harcourt Liaison Office of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Lady Kate Ibekwe, said the promo has the commission’s backing and lauded Glo for being ‘magnanimous to reward its customers with such mouthwatering prizes.
“There are some lotteries that you play yourself. There are others that you don’t even know you are playing. For example, you just recharge your phone and then Glo is being magnanimous to bless their customers with sewing machines, power generators, tricycles, and so on.
“This is one of those involuntary lotteries you have played. My advice is that when you are called on telephone, pick your calls, be patient and listen to the person on the other end. There are offices of these places where you reside. Go there are find out. If it is in the bank, call your account officer, they will be able to tell you,” the Head, Port Harcourt Liaiason Office of NLRC explained.
Lady Ibekwe advised Nigerians playing lottery to look out for the commission’s logo in any lottery in order not to fall into the hands of scammers.
In a chat with the Tide, one of the star prize (Tricycle) winners and 200 level undergraduate of the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Chinedu Okoli says she has been a glo customer for seven years and thanked the company for the reward which she described as unbelievable.
Also, a public servant with the Nigerian Customs Service and three years Glo user expressed happiness, saying, “I thought it was a scam when a lady called me that I won, but thanked God it is real. I will continue to use Glo.”

Dennis Naku

Transport

Nigeria Rates 7th For Visa Application To France —–Schengen Visa

Published

18 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria was the 7th country in 2024, which filed the most schenghen visa to France, with a total of 111,201 of schenghen visa applications made in 2025, out of which 55,833, about 50.2 percent submitted to France

Although 2025 data is unavailable, these figures from Schengen Visa Info implies that France is not merely a preferred destination, but has been a dominant access point for Nigerian short-stay travel into Europe.

France itself has received more than three million Schengen visa applications, making it the most sought-after Schengen destination globally and a leading gateway for long-haul and third-country travellers. It was the top destination for applicants from 51 countries that same year, including many without visa-exemption arrangements with the Schengen Zone, and the sole destination for applicants from seven countries.

Alison Reed, a senior analyst at the European Migration Observatory said, “France’s administrative reach shapes applicant strategy, but it also concentrates risk. If processing times lengthen or documentation standards tighten in Paris, the effects ripple quickly back to capitals such as Abuja.”

The figures underline that this pattern is not unique to Nigeria. In neighbouring West and Central African states such as Gabon, Benin, Togo and Madagascar, more than 90 per cent of Schengen visas were sought via French authorities in 2024, with Chad, Djibouti, the Central African Republic and Comoros submitting applications exclusively to France.

“France acts as the central enumeration point for many African and Asian applicants,” said Manish Khandelwal, founder of Travelobiz.com, which reported the consolidated statistics. “Historical ties, language networks and established diaspora communities all play into that concentration. But volume inevitably invites scrutiny, and that affects refusal rates and processing rigour.”

That scrutiny is visible in the rejection statistics. Of the more than three million French applications in 2024, approximately 481,139 were denied, a rejection rate of about 15.7 per cent. While this rate is lower than in some smaller Schengen states, the sheer volume of applications means France contributes significantly to the total number of refusals within the zone.

For Nigerian applicants and policymakers, one implication is the need to broaden engagement with other Schengen consular hubs. “Over-reliance on a single consulate creates what one might call administrative bottleneck effects,” said Jean-Luc Martin, a professor and expert in European integration and mobility law at Leiden University. “If applicants from Nigeria default to France without exploring legitimate alternatives in countries like Spain, Germany or the Netherlands, they expose themselves to systemic risk

Martin added that the broader context of Schengen visa policy is evolving, with the European Commission’s preparing roll-out of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) aimed at harmonising pre-travel screening across member states.

For Nigerians seeking leisure, business or educational travel to Europe, these trends suggest that strategic planning and consular diversification could become as important as the completeness of documentation and financial proof. Governments and travel consultancies in Abuja, Lagos and beyond are already advising clients to explore alternative consular pathways and to prepare for more rigorous screening criteria across all Schengen states

By: Enoch Epelle

Transport

West Zone Aviation: Adibade Olaleye Sets For NANTA President

Published

18 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Prince Abiodun Ajibade Olaleye, a former Welfare Officer and Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), has formally declared his intention to contest for the position of Vice President of NANTA Western Zone, ahead of the zonal elections scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026.

In a New Year message to members of the association, Olaleye expressed optimism about the prospects of the travel and tourism industry in 2026, despite the economic headwinds and migration policy challenges that affected operations in the previous year.

He acknowledged that reduced patronage and declining trade volumes had placed significant financial pressure on many travel agencies, but urged members to remain resilient and forward-looking.

According to him, the challenges confronting the industry should be seen as opportunities for growth, innovation and institutional strengthening.

He stressed the need for unity and collective action among members of the association, noting that collaboration remains critical to navigating the evolving global travel environment.

Unveiling his vision for the NANTA Western Zone, Olaleye said his aspiration is to consolidate on the achievements of past leaders while expanding the zone’s relevance, influence and impact “beyond imagination.” He promised a leadership focused on commanding excellence, improved member welfare and stronger stakeholder engagement.

Drawing from his experience in previous executive roles within NANTA, the vice-presidential aspirant said he is well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to the association, particularly in areas of member support, public engagement and institutional growth.

“I believe that together, we can take our association to greater heights and build a stronger, more prosperous NANTA Western Zone that benefits all members,” he said, while appealing to delegates for their support and votes.

Olaleye concluded by offering prayers for good health, peace and prosperity for members in 2026, expressing confidence that the new year would usher in renewed opportunities for the travel industry and the association at large.

By: Enoch Epelle

Business

Sugar Tax ‘ll Threaten Manufacturing Sector, Says CPPE

Published

18 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned that renewed calls for a sugar tax on non-alcoholic beverages could hurt Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, threaten jobs and slow the country’s fragile economic recovery.

In a statement, the Chief Executive Officer, CPPE, Muda Yusuf, said while public health concerns such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases deserve attention, imposing an additional sugar-specific tax was economically risky and poorly suited to Nigeria’s current realities of high inflation, weak consumer purchasing power and rising production costs.

Yusuf who insisted that the food and beverage sector remains the backbone of Nigeria’s manufacturing industry, said the industry supports millions of livelihoods across farming, processing, packaging, logistics, wholesale and retail trade, and hospitality.

He remarked that any policy that weakens this ecosystem could have far-reaching consequences, including job losses, lower household incomes and reduced investment.

Yusuf argued that proposals for sugar taxation in Nigeria are often influenced by global policy templates that do not adequately reflect local conditions.

According to him, manufacturers in the non-alcoholic beverage segment are already facing heavy fiscal and cost pressures.

“The proposition of a sugar-specific tax is misplaced, economically risky, and weakly supported by empirical evidence, especially when viewed against Nigeria’s prevailing structural and macroeconomic realities.

“Existing obligations include company income tax, value-added tax, excise duties, levies on profits and imports, and multiple state and local government charges. These are compounded by high energy costs, exchange-rate volatility, elevated interest rates and expensive logistics,” he said.

The CPPE boss noted that retail prices of many non-alcoholic beverages have risen by about 50 per cent over the past two years, even without the introduction of new taxes, further squeezing consumers.

Yusuf further expressed reservation on the effectiveness of sugar taxes in addressing the root causes of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu