11042018 - Buhari’s ‘one term’ offer in 2011 no longer applies

20— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2018
Moisturisers: Quest for consumer
satisfaction triggers product innovation
Stories by
Princewill Ekwujuru
The quest to satisfy
customers' desire for
more value have triggered
upsurge of innovative product
changes by producers of
moisturising creams in the
health and beauty market.
This is reflected in the
intense marketing strategies
adopted by producers to
rekindle consumer loyalty to
their various brands.
The manufacturers have also
accelerated research on
different skin types in a bid to
reformulate and produce more
skin-friendly products.
This became necessary when
market insight showed a
sustained rise in population
and growing desire for smooth
and healthy skin, all in a bid
maintain youthful look. The
result is an upsurge in demand
for moisturising creams, which
defied the adverse
macroeconomic situation of the
country.
Consequently, to remain
relevant in the market, the
manufacturers have started to
adopt critical marketing
measures such as repackaging,
redesigning of product shape,
colour and size, including
additional fragrance for
increased customer attraction
and patronage.
These developments have
however, narrowed contenders
to local and imported
moisturising creams of Dove,
produced by Unilever Nigeria
Plc; Olay, manufactured by
Procter and Gamble. Others are
imported brands that have
helped to heighten competition
for market share which include,
Nivea, Aveeno, CeraVe AM,
ACCA Kappa, Palmer’s Cocoa
Butter, Bliss Body Butter, Aqua
Phor, Amlactia, Rosen cream
among others.
Vanguard’s Companies and
Markets, C&M, findings reveal
that consumer indifference
towards the various products in
the market, compels them to be
attached to a particular brand.
Consumers’ reaction
However, majority of the
consumers and distributors who
spoke to C&M, indicated
preference for Nivea, Dove,
Aveeno, Olay, CeraVe and
Aqua Phor for their gentleness
on the skin.
A consumer, Ms. Josephine
Ibekwe, who indicated
preference for Olay said: “It
goes on smoothly; works well
under makeup, and can even
moisturise combination skin
type without leaving you
looking shiny. This product is
non-comedogenic (will not
block your pores) and also
comes in oil-free and
fragrance-free formulas to suit
oily or sensitive skin types,
respectively.”
Another consumer, Tayo
Adepetu, said: “Depending on
your skin type, if you are able
to find the cream that suits you,
you may say the cream you are
using is the best. Most creams
are good. I believe no company
will like to put out bad product
for consumers to buy.”
Mrs. Joan Iheukwumere,
who operates a cream shop in
Surulere, said: “If you have
sensitive skin, fragrance-free
CeraVe AM Facial
Moisturising Lotion is one of
the few sunscreen-containing
products that probably would
not cause any irritation or
redness. Its broad-spectrum
protection can also help
prevent sun damage and
reduce your risk of skin cancer.
Meanwhile, CeraVe AM as a
lotion does a beautiful job of
moisturising and soothing your
skin. Thanks to moistureboosting,
skin-nourishing
ingredients like ceramines,
niacinamide and hyaluronic
acid.”
Distributor speaks
A distributor, Omeje Onovo of
Omeruibe Enterprises, said
that majority of the
moisturising creams in the
market are doing well,
especially those products
which address skin irritation.
He, however, noted that
Nivea, Dove, Aveeno, Olay,
CeraVe AM are the preferred
moisturising creams in the
market today.
Expert speaks
A dermatologist, who simply
gave her name as Arinke, who
is into private practice, said:
“Taking care of your skin does
not have to mean a complicated
beauty routine: For many
people, using a good facial
cleanser, followed by a quality
face moisturiser at least once a
day, makes a huge difference.
*From Left: Santosh Kumar, Regional Sales Manager, South-West; Utkarsh Tyagi, Brand
Manager; Swatanter Saraswat, Head of Sales & Marketing; Akpororo, celebrity comedian;
Kumar Venkataraman, Managing Director, Sweet Nutrition Limited, at Choco Love Product
launch/Press briefing held in Lagos.
MTN Foundation fetes kids across Nigeria
THE MTN Foundation has
put a smile on the faces
of about 1,500 kids in 36
institutions across the country.
Each establishment was gifted
foodstuff and baby care
products.
According to Dennis Okoro,
Director, MTN Foundation,
“the provision of basic living
amenities and consumables to
the less privileged is critical to
the growth and development of
our country. We are passionate
about this and that is what
these initiatives are about,
making life better for the
children of this great nation.”
The management of the
homes visited expressed their
gratitude for MTN
Foundation’s care, which they
described as timely and
uplifting.
MTN Foundation Director,
Mrs Mosun Bello-Olusoga
noted that “Children’s homes
such as these typically have a
hard time sourcing funds. We
all need to do our part, we all
need to do more. Moments like
these give us the opportunity
to step out, reach out and show
love.”
During each visit, MTN staff
and representatives of the
Foundation spend time with
the children, talking about life,
interests and inspirations as
well as playing with the kids.
“These are very special places
with very special children.
Bursting with ideas, kids are
such great dreamers not bound
by perceived limitations. They
are so full of love, children are
Swift to deploy
10,000 hotspots
in Lagos
Swift Networks said it is
going to deploy 10,000
free Wi-Fi across Lagos.
The company said the
deployment will be made
possible in partnership with
residential customers.
The product, named Red
Cheetah, is expected to help
deepen Nigeria’s broadband
penetration and aspiration for
universal internet access for
greater social equity and
inclusion.
The Managing Director/
Chief Executive Officer of
the company, Charles
Anudu, at the introduction of
the product in Lagos said the
company’s plan is to roll out
an initial 10,000 Red Cheetah
hotspots in Lagos and then
extend to other parts of the
country.
“The Red Cheetah service
model follows in the
company’s tradition of
demystifying and making
technology work for Nigerians
so that they can hook up to
the digital world to explore,
work and entertain more
efficiently.
“We are excited to pioneer
this cutting edge service
model and will rapidly extend
it to more cities in Nigeria and
the continent. The security of
every user’s access is
enhanced by the Red
Cheetah App which
establishes a distinct and
secure Virtual Private
Network, VPN connection to
the internet for each device on
the platform. I strongly believe
that this dogged work of over
two years is the ideal model
that will empower Nigerians
to live their most productive
lifestyles in a digital world. I
am extra proud that
everything about Red
Cheetah is Nigerian and
shows what we can achieve
when we commit to solving
the problems of our society,
taking our context into
consideration.”
Cadbury plans $50m healthy lifestyle programme for
children, families
CADBURY Nigeria Plc
and other companies
under the Mondelez Group
have initiated a $50million
healthy lifestyle programme
aimed at bringing nutrition
education, active play and
fresh foods to at-risk children
and their families in Nigeria.
The company joins nine other
countries in the Mondelez
International family in this
initiative which will involve a
$50million multi-year
commitment to promote healthy
lifestyles and address obesity.
an inspiration to us all! I am
grateful and honoured to have
been part of this,” said
Adekemi Adisa, a General
Manager in MTN’s Human
Resources Division.
Places visited include Kids
with a vision Foundation, Jos;
Katsina Children’s Home; Al
Ansar Home, Abuja; Bethesda
Home for the Blind, Lagos and
others.
In a statement, the Managing
Director of Cadbury West
Africa, Mr. Amir Shamsi, said:
“This is the first-ever Mondelez
International Foundationfunded
effort in Nigeria. The
programme, which will run
over a three-year period, is
targeted at nearly 6,000
children and families in nine
schools. It will operate in
Cadbury Nigeria (Ikeja and
Ondo) and focus on nutrition
and healthy lifestyle.”
Shamsi further stated that the
Foundation will partner Helen
Keller International to teach
about 6,000 children the
importance of proper nutrition,
physical activity and gardening
through in-school and afterschool
activities.
“Making a positive impact on
the people and the planet is at
the core of who we are,” added
Sarah Delea, President of the
Mondelez International
Foundation, in a statement.
“Since 2012, our partners and
their programmes have been
transforming the lives of more
than a million children around
the globe by increasing their
nutrition knowledge, physical
activity and access to fresh
fruits and vegetables.”