Happy 53rd Independence Day Nigeria!

Hope you all have a great celebration. And please say a prayer for Nigeria today...God bless us all!

Apple overtakes Cocacola as world's number 1 most valuable brand

For thirteen years, Cocacola was the world's number one most valuable brand...but not anymore. In 2013, two brands took over - Apple and Google, leaving Cocacola at number three.

From New York Times

Apple is the new most valuable brand in the world, according to a closely followed annual report. The report, to be released next Monday, is from Interbrand, a corporate identity and brand consulting company owned by the Omnicom Group that has been compiling what it calls the Best Global Brands report since 2000. The previous No. 1 brand, Coca-Cola, fell to No. 3.

Not only has Apple replaced Coca-Cola as first among the 100 most valuable brands based on criteria that include financial performance, this is the first time that the soft drink known for slogans like “It’s the real thing” has not been No. 1.

Apple’s arrival in the top spot was perhaps “a matter of time,” Jez Frampton, global chief executive at Interbrand, said in a recent interview. Apple was No. 2 last year, climbing from No. 8 in the 2011 report.

“What is it they say, ‘Long live the king’?” Mr. Frampton asked. “This year, the king is Apple.”

The 2013 report begins: “Every so often, a company changes our lives, not just with its products, but with its ethos. This is why, following Coca-Cola’s 13-year run at the top of Best Global Brands, Interbrand has a new No. 1 — Apple.”

The report estimates the value of the Apple brand at $98.3 billion, up 28 percent from the 2012 report. The value of the Coca-Cola brand also rose, by 2 percent to $79.2 billion, but that was not sufficient to give Coca-Cola a 14th year as Interbrand’s most valuable brand.

Although “Coca-Cola is an efficient, outstanding brand marketer, no doubt about it,” Mr. Frampton said, Apple and other leading technology brands have become “very much the poster child of the marketing community.”

That is underscored by the brand in second place in the new report: Google, which rose from fourth place last year. In fact, of the top 10 Best Global Brands for 2013, five are in technology: Apple; Google; Microsoft, No. 5, unchanged from last year; Samsung, 8, compared with 9 last year; and Intel, 9, compared with 8 last year.

Samsung’s ascent followed the company’s adoption of a new brand strategy called the Brand Ideal, which includes “a greater focus on social purpose,” Sue Shim, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Samsung, said by e-mail. That reflected research indicating American consumers would switch brands to “one that was associated with improving people’s lives,” she added.

I.B.M. — No. 4 in 2013, down a notch from 2012 — is ranked as a business services brand. Otherwise, technology would account for six of the top 10.

“Brands like Apple and Google and Samsung are changing our behavior: how we buy, how we communicate with each other, even whether we speak with each other,” Mr. Frampton said. “They have literally changed the way we live our lives.”

Among other transformative technology brands that performed well in the new report was Facebook, which climbed to 52 from 69 last year, its first year on the list.

However, not all technology brands fared well. BlackBerry, which tumbled last year to 93 from 56 in 2011, has disappeared from the list. And Nokia, which dropped to 19 from 14 in 2011, finished this year in 57th place — “the biggest faller” among the 100, Mr. Frampton said.

Among nontechnology brands, a notable addition to the list was Chevrolet, at 89, the first General Motors brand to rank among the Best Global Brands.

“It feels good to hit the list for the first time,” Alan Batey, global head of Chevrolet at G.M., said in a telephone interview. “It’s a great first step, but we’ve got a long way to go. There are a lot of big brands in front of us.”

The milestone reflects how General Motors has been “making a conscious effort to globalize Chevrolet,” Mr. Batey said, selling the brand in 140 countries in ads that play up attributes like “value for money and designs that move hearts and minds.”

Commonwealth, the creative agency for Chevrolet, “played a key role” in helping the brand make the list, he added. Commonwealth is part of the McCann Worldgroup division of the Interpublic Group of Companies.

Last year, when Coca-Cola finished atop the Best Global Brands list for the 13th consecutive time, an executive at the Coca-Cola Company acknowledged the streak but noted that “nothing lasts forever.”

A year later, the executive, Joseph V. Tripodi, executive vice president and chief marketing and commercial leadership officer, had this reaction: “Of course, we would like to remain on top of the list forever. That said, we are honored to continue to be included among such an esteemed group of global brands, and we congratulate Apple and Google, both valued partners of ours.”

“We’ve seen the value of technology brands rise as they create new ways for people to stay connected virtually,” Mr. Tripodi said by e-mail. “We understand this, as the lasting power of our brand is built on the social moment of sharing a Coca-Cola with friends and family.”

“Creating these simple moments and delivering on our brand promise each and every day remains our focus,” he added, “as we continue to grow the value of brand Coca-Cola for decades to come.”

If it is consolation, Coca-Cola remains far ahead of Apple and Google in likes on Facebook fan pages. Coca-Cola has 73.2 million, compared with 9.8 million for Apple and 15.1 million for Google.

Actress Chika Ike wows in red as she's honored with HOG award

Actress, UN ambassador & refugee ambassador Chika Ike got a HOG (Hall Of Grace) Award for her humanitarian works on Friday September 27th. Congrats to her! Lovely dress...

50cent blasts Ray J for sleeping with one of Floyd Mayweather's side chicks

Floyd is repossessing all the loubs and diamonds he bought her. Lol. The last pic (right) is a response from Floyd Mayweather himself. #grownmen!

Terry G releases new promo shots

More photos when you continue...

Easytaxi, Jovago and Hellofood Independence Day Hospitality Promo

Leading online ventures, Easytaxi, Jovago and Hellofood  have partnered to make your holiday even more delightful with the Independence Day Hospitality Promo

·         Visit friends and family with 25% off taxi bookings via the Easytaxi app.

·         Book a room at your dream hotel on Jovago.com and get 25% off hotel bookings.

·         Eat to your fill with 25% off first orders on Hellofood.com.ng

It’s easy, log on to www.jovago.com, www.hellofood.com.ng and download the Easytaxi and  

Hellofood apps on Google Play store, the App store or Blackberry World, fill in “Independence” in reference/special wishes field and max out your Independence Day! Your holiday just got more interesting! Book that ride to that hotel and get filled up! Offer valid for 1st of October 2013. Terms and conditions apply. Happy Birthday Nigeria

Update on OJB in India

For those who would like to be updated, here's a little info for you. More than a month after he went to India for kidney surgery, veteran music producer OB Jezreel is yet to undergo the surgery. The delay was necessary to enable OJB undergo several pre-transplant treatment before the main surgery. He has now concluded all necessary medical tests and will have the procedure in the coming days

Caroline Danjuma vs Toke Makinwa: who rocked the short jumpsuit

Former actress Caroline Danjuma (left) and radio personality Toke Makinwa (right) wore one-piece short jumpsuits/jumpers to the Elite Model Search which took place yesterday. Who rocked it?

Sylvia Nduka (also) rocks $10,000 Chanel Lego Handbag

Ex-MBGN 2011 Sylvia Nduka posted pictures of her rocking the $10,000 Lego Chanel Handbag on Instagram. Before her there was Genevieve Nnaji and Ini Edo. But why do some of you think these celebrity ladies are carrying the fake versions?.. Some girls have money and they can splurge o...:-)

21 year old Owuka Irene crowned Miss Ambassador For Peace 2013

Abia State graduate, Owuka Irene, beat other contestants to emerge the 2013 Miss Ambassador For Peace pageant. The event held on Saturday September 21st at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel Abuja. Continue to see more photos...

In an exclusive chat with the press, the newly crowned queen who couldn’t hide her excitement over clinching the crown expressed her gratitude to all who stood by her, especially her parent and the people of her home-state, who gave her the necessary support she needed in clinching the worthy price. “First, I want to thank God for making it possible for me to be crowned Miss Ambassador for Peace 2013. After working tirelessly to win this price, I believe I deserve to be the face of Peace Nigeria. What I want to do now is to work on my pet projects and make sure that the purpose of my crown is fufilled,” she said.

Also speaking, Kingsley Amafibe, CEO MAFP pageant thanked all who supported him before during the event especially Peace Corps of Nigeria, the sponsors, partners and the Miss Ambassador for Peace agency team.

“You can attest to the crowd here at Sheraton Abuja. Am overwhelmed by the presence of what I have seen. And we promise that the third edition would be bigger and better. We encourage Nigerians and our government to support project that project the Nigerian Youth.

Receiving the award for Grand Patron of the MAFP, Hon. Gabriel Oyibode thanked everyone for making the event worthwhile, as he promised to make the next edition bigger and better.

Popular actor Chris Onoja was on hand as he was awarded the Best Actor, while Uche Elendu Best Actress Award, Elenu Comedian of the year, James Expensive Radio Personality of the year, Mr Seyi Adekunle male designer of the year, Rev Babajide Olowodola Clergy Man of the year, Chief Mrs. Tosin Dokpesi TV personality of the year, Kester O. Agwu Young Entrepreneur of the year, Mrs Merit Gordon Obua grand female achiever of the year and Prince Eze Madumere was awarded Peace Excellence Nation Building Award.Stella Rita Asogwa,Female Designer of the year

 

President Jonathan to address the nation tomorrow

Find the State House Press Release below..

President Goodluck Jonathan will make an Independence Day Broadcast to the nation at 07:00 Hours tomorrow, Tuesday, October 1, 2013.

All television and radio stations in the country are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) to relay the broadcast to their viewers and listeners.

Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), September 30, 2013

A-list entertainers storm Warri for 'Warri Again' concert on Oct 1st

This will definitely go down as one of the biggest shows of 2013 as all is set for the concert with the highest assemblage of leading entertainers - Warri Again. Interestingly, this show takes place in the famous Warri city as against the norm of Lagos.

Put together by Brownhill Entertainment, the event will also highlight the official opening of the Brownhill events center. Some of the artists billed to entertain are iyanya, tiwa savage, davido, kcee, timaya, burna boy, seyi shey and more. Leading comedians Igodye, Bovi, Gordons, Akpororo will headline the event as well.

If you missed the official promo for the event, the now viral "The Proposal" starring Bovi, click here

Freak of nature! Scientists discover a different kind of hermaphrodite

There are hermaphrodites (people born with both female and male reproductive organs) but this person is somewhat different. He/she has a big penis and a vagina and they are both functional. Sorry can't put the photos on this blog, you will have to go to another link to view them. But biko don't open at work place o...very graphic! See it HERE, HERE and HERE

Timi Dakolo and Tara Durotoye cover the new edition of Y! magazine

Singer Timi Dakolo and beauty entrepreneur Tara Fela -Durotoye on the new cover of Y! Magazine's celebration issue. Tara looks stunning!

Win N53,000 as Nigeria turns 53 in the FCnaija.com NaijaGreatestXI

In a few hours, Nigeria will be 53, and in celebration of Nigeria's 53rd Independence Anniversary, FCNAIJA.comis giving out a N53,000 Konga.com shopping Voucher to One lucky winner in the #NaijaGreatestXI competition holding which runs from now to Thursday October 3rd, 2013.

How To Win
They have provided a 22 Man list of what they believe are the greatest Nigerian players to ever put on the green-white-green jersey, from this list simply select your #NaijaGreatestXI and if it tallies with their own #NaijaGreatestXI, and you have the highest number of votes, you win the N53,000 Konga.com shopping voucher. Continue...

Full Instructions;

i. Visit the entry page here�  http://bit.ly/_Win53000and select your greatest eleven players from the 39 man list.

ii. Submit your entry in the format- DF: (Name), DF:(Name) MF:(Name) MF:(Name) ST:(Name) ST:(Name) and tweet at @fc1naija with the hashtag #NaijaGreatestXI

iii. Get your friends and family to vote for you.

iii. On October 3rd, the FCNaija list gets revealed and if your answer tallies with our list, you win the N53,000 shopping voucher.

Please note: ONLY the selection with the highest vote wins the N53,000 Konga.com shopping voucher

Click here to win the voucher: http://bit.ly/_Win53000

For more information, visit Fcnaija.com on Facebook: http://facebook.com/fc1naija and follow them on twitter on http://twitter.com/fc1naija

#NaijaGreatestXI

The gold plated iPhone5 photo circulating online is fake!

The pic of the iPhone on the left has been circulated online with a few blogs alleging that the Federal Government has taken delivery of the 53 gold plated iPhones to celebrate Nigeria's 53rd anniversary tomorrow. I'm not particularly a fan of this government but photoshopping a pic to make a false story look true is probably not the way forward. The federal govt has denied ordering these phones, the UK company, Gold and Co of London, also denied and denounced the story.

Find the original photo and the Photoshopped version above. Reacting to the fake phone photo, Reno Omokri, Special Assistant (New Media) to the President said;

Let me make it clear that President Goodluck Jonathan is a simple man who has ensured that all independence anniversary celebrations under his watch have been low key inexpensive events in keeping with his policy of avoiding wasteful expenditures.

These stories and others like it are sponsored by those who would like to distract President Jonathan from the task of Transformation of which he has committed himself and this administration. It is a disservice to all of us if we sit back while these disgruntled elements get away with lies without exposing them and their cohorts.

Segun Arinze & Charles Novia react to Jim Iyke's deliverance, call it an embarrassment

Actor and former AGN president Segun Arinze reacted on his Blackberry. He wrote:

"This Jim Iyke's deliverance video at the Synagogue trending looks too contrived. It's a big embarrassment. Has anyone ever seen demons come out live and speak? Una fit stand demons? Una carry Nollywood enter Church, abi? How much did he get paid? I'm just wondering. Make una stop all these nonsense play. Haba. Stranger than fiction!

Outspoken Nollywood producer Charles Novia reacted on Twitter. See his Tweets after the cut...



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