Are Brands Shortchanging The Southeast?

We pride ourselves on having a large market in the Southeast. Numbers and statistics support this claim. When I was in the telecom industry, Onitsha was a big revenue center for the telcos.

However, we cannot say that brands benefiting from the huge Southeast market have shown enough good faith in their social investments decision-making and this is baffling.

Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt usually receive a large chunk of corporate sponsorships from major Nigerian brands, to the neglect of the Southeast market, which can be likened to the goose that lays the golden egg.

We once had MTN as the title sponsor of Enugwu-Ukwu Igu-Aro and the other associated festivals. That relationship stopped and no other brand has bothered to throw their muscle behind the rich cultural fest. Globacom sponsors the Onitsha Ofala Festival. However, other brands are yet to step in as co-sponsors to help blow the festival the same way they have done with the Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.

These fliers are just a few examples of how other brands have helped to activate the Ojude-Oba festival.

Organizing world-class festivals requires a lot of resources which only brands can provide. We people of the Southeast are demanding more from brands that are generating tons of revenue from the Southeast. Fair is fair.

We are simply asking for a re-think of the corporate social investments (CSI) strategies of major Nigerian brands to also favour the Southeast which also generates the revenues for them.

The argument that insecurity in the Southeast is one of the reasons why brands chose to stay away from CSI investments is not completely true. Insecurity may have impacted social life but people are still making calls and using data in the Southeast so the telcos can’t complain. On the Mondays of sit-at-home, I can bet that data and call usages increase as people idle away at home. On weekends, and even weekdays, bars and nightclubs are still banging so beverage companies are smiling. The financial services sector is thriving despite the security challenges. POS operators are almost lined up inch after inch in our communities. Banks are still declaring trillions of Naira in profits.

During festive periods such as Easter, New Yam, and Christmas seasons when these festivals take place. It’s choc-a-block and bumper-to-bumper traffic in the Southeast. So a bit more CSI gaze towards the Southeast by the brands won’t be a bad idea. The tokenism approach should be discarded because it’s good business for them.

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Jony Ive, the legendary designer behind the iPhone, is officially teaming up with OpenAI. The company plans to acquire Ive’s design firm, LoveFrom, in a deal valued at around $6.5 billion. Ive will take on a broad role at OpenAI, helping shape the look and feel of future AI devices and tools.⁠
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He’s working closely with CEO Sam Altman to develop a new kind of consumer hardware centered on artificial intelligence. While specifics are still under wraps, the goal is to create products that feel as natural and intuitive as the iPod or iPhone once did, now powered by advanced AI.⁠
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The partnership has been in the works for months and marks one of OpenAI’s biggest steps toward building physical products. With Ive’s design vision and Altman’s AI focus, this collaboration could help define the next era of tech.⁠
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(via The Wall Street Journal)

The argument isn't whether Wizkid is big or not.
He's obviously Wizkid.
So if you deviate from the point I'm about to make, I fit wooze you.

It's about time he reconnects with his core audience.
Bring it home.

The Genevieve-like attitude isn't helping matters.
Your being stuck up, aloof,and acting like you don't give a damn isn't translating to hit songs.

I don't remember the last time Wizkid released a song that caused mayhem in the streets.

Dey do face like you don't remember this man in his prime.
Whatever he did in a music video people emulated it.

Whatever he sang was on the lips of everybody.

Then, the Wizkid mania birthed many artists with the 'Wiz' thing.

That's the man the local audience resonated with.

Unfortunately, he doesn't have that effect anymore.

All the songs off Morayo album went cold faster than akamu on a plate.

I know one time I did say he was the most experimental artist among the big 3, but the music is going off the rails.

I don't care the numbers 'Morayo' album did on the charts or in sales, that sh!t didn't penetrate the masses.

Come home man.
That seems like the most reasonable thing to do at this point and a way to extend your appeal a little longer.

Naso e go dey form ayam bigger than you people.

Like play like play, the likes of Omah Lay will unseat him.

Nwoke mba mmri has the youth and cute boy thing to his advantage, which was you (Wizkid) some years back.

E dey do like slow poison, but he's coming strong like a tornado.

Whoever believed he could hold his own against the Oba of bangers, Davido, on a record?
OBO whose fan base dwarfs his own...

It's a reflection of the gradual shift taking place on the local music scene.

People are starting to look beyond ghenghen names, they want gbedu.

Nobody has time to wait for Wizkid to snap out of his grandiosity.
The people want the type of songs they've been missing from ya (Soco, Fever, Daddy Yo).

You dey there dey sing big man r&b wey no get head.

People's feelings are showing.
Look at the reactions to the 'Gimme Dat' song with Ayra Starr.

It's been mostly negative, and that has been the case since he lost his mojo.

Like it or not, Tems contributed greatly to the appeal 'Essence' had, especially in the international community.

The worst mistake he'll make is doing another westernised project and collabs with unknown US artists wey no get ginger. That'll be the nail in the coffin.

So Ayo, come home.
Comot eye from Grammy and collab more with dem boyz for area.

Check if Samklef still has some unreleased stuff in the vault. Go back to that sound, it's still fresh.

Wizkid FC can only push a vehicle without fuel for so long.

Sola Akintayo is a digital content creator, strategist, and media expert with a passion for helping brands and individuals tell powerful stories that connect and convert. With over a decade of experience across social media marketing, video production, blogging, and brand consulting, Sola has carved a unique niche as one of Nigeria’s leading voices in content creation.

Her journey began with a simple blog in 2013, where she shared everyday lifestyle stories and social media tips. Today, Sola runs a thriving multimedia brand that empowers businesses to grow online using engaging content, smart strategies, and authentic storytelling. From managing viral Instagram campaigns to producing YouTube tutorials that have impacted thousands, she has helped shape the digital presence of startups, fashion labels, NGOs, and thought leaders across Africa.

Sola holds certifications in Digital Marketing, Video Storytelling, and Social Media Strategy. Beyond content creation, she speaks at workshops and conferences, mentoring the next generation of African female creators to embrace their voice and own their space online.

Her content philosophy is simple: "Create with clarity, show up with confidence, and always connect with purpose."

When she’s not creating, you’ll find her curating playlists, exploring Nigerian art galleries, or hosting her weekly Instagram Live sessions where she shares tips on growing a personal brand.

Let’s connect and create magic together.

The political transfer window is still open. APC dey sign top strikers, PDP gets management issues like Man Utd, and financial problems like Barcelona, they either recruit young players from their academy or rely on sponsorship deals to sign some defenders, to avoid conceding too many goals, because they seem not prepared for the 2027 PCL (political champions League)

Ever since APC signed BAT, the club has been running the street and the acquisition of Wike on loan has really proven great for the team formation. He helped them beat his former club in Edo.

All eyes are on Osun where the newly acquired defensive midfielder (Sheriff) and left winger (Okowa) will be looking forward to forming a formidable galacticos with Wike and Dapo. According to the club CEO (BAT) negotiation to sign the Osun state skillful midfielder to be backup for Sheriff is at its Zenith.

We look forward to seeing the strategy that would be deployed by the LP FC this time around as they are in serious negotiation to sign Kano state no 9 to support their attack in the upcoming 2027 PCL.

On the other side, veteran goalkeeper El Rufai is trying to recruit a formidable squad that may include the likes of veteran defender Atiku to create a new Club or acquire an old club for the 2027 PCL. While attackers like Saraki and Tambawal had been out injured, they have started personal training to be fit for the next season PCL, and PDP, LP, and APC are monitoring their progress. Stay tuned for more updates!

#copied
Sochinwa Robert

I stand firmly with Guaranty Trust Bank

Let’s not allow distractions or misinformation to drag innocent institutions into unrelated issues. GTBank should not be dragged into the ongoing matter between VDM and the EFCC.

We must uphold fairness and protect the integrity of our financial institutions. Misplaced blame helps no one—let the facts speak for themselves.

#IStandWithGtBank #JusticeAndFairness #SupportWhatIsRight

“I was over half a Billion in Debt... But I still had to smile for the camera. I Never Told Anyone” - Comedian Mr Macaroni

“I never bring my personal issues to social media. I only wish to share this because I want people to learn from my experience.
Between 2021 and 2022, I lost everything I had saved to a scam. I borrowed from different sources just to fulfill commitments.
Still, I showed up for others, even when I was empty. Because that’s who I am.

2024 was a turning point for my Acting career. Two of the films I featured in were screened at international festivals.. my performances in some other films also earned me numerous commendations. However, It was also the most troubling year for me. I was burdened every single day and night knowing that I was over half a billion in debt.

Then came betrayal—sharp and unexpected—from someone I loved like a sister.
That pain nearly broke me more than the debt ever could.

But you see, I’m a warrior! I have never backed down from a fight. When I fall, I bounce back even stronger by God’s grace and I keep my head up. So I gathered myself, and made some very tough decisions and with the help of family and friends who have stood by me, I feel better than I have felt in the last 3 years!

So this message is for anyone in a dark place right now:
Don’t give up.
People may betray you. You may fall. You may even lose everything.
But as long as you have breath, you have purpose.
Fall if you must. It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. What is not okay is to keep repeating the same mistakes. Let love win in your heart—no matter how loud the hate becomes in the world."
— Comedian Mr Macaroni

People Buy Hair in China for 300k and sell in Nigeria for 800k .

When VDM made a video showing how much profits hair vendors make and trying to help young Nigerians connect with Chinese vendors , we heard something like how much is shipping and customs

Last year I travelled to China , bought 15 iPhones and my profits was 250k per iPhone . I paid no customs or shipping . I simply removed it from the boxes and added to my luggage . Hair is NOT heavy , you can package even 100 hair and hold as your hand luggage . The problem with many of you is you think traveling is a mystery and anything entering an airplane costs so much. Omo