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U.S. Stocks Bounce Back

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WASHINGTON – Stocks gained as foreign markets stabilized and investors awaited word from a two-day Federal Reserve policy meeting that begins Tuesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 72 points, or 0.5%, to 15910 in midmorning trade. On Monday, the Dow ended a choppy session down 41 points, or 0.3%, its fifth-straight loss.

The S&P 500 index added nine points, or 0.5%, to 1791, with health-care and financial shares leading eight of 10 sector groups higher. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 11 points, or 0.3%, to 4095, as Apple weighed after reporting results late Monday.Calm trading sessions in emerging markets after recent heavy selloffs lent a tone of relief to U.S. markets. The stabilization came amid efforts by emerging-market central banks, such as Turkey’s, to curb the recent selloffs in their currencies.

U.S. stocks extended gains Tuesday after data showed consumer confidence continues to improve. The confidence index rose to 80.7 in January from 77.5 in December, the Conference Board said Tuesday, topping expectations for a slight rise to 77.6.

“U.S. stocks have been under pressure because of a selloff emanating from emerging markets and fears there, but the bottom line is news on the U.S. economic front isn’t bad,” said Nick Sargen, chief investment officer at Fort Washington Investment Advisors, which has about $45 billion in assets under management.

Investors are waiting to see what the U.S. central bank does at its two-day meeting that concludes on Wednesday. The Fed will consider whether to carry on with tapering its bond-purchase program or to put the brakes on further cuts to its bond buys after recent market routs. This will be the last meeting for Chairman Ben Bernanke. Mr. Sargen sees the Fed proceeding with expected plans to cut its bond program by an additional $10 billion. “The Fed has been more confident that the U.S. economy has improved,” he said. “They won’t take pleas from emerging markets into account if it means not doing what they see as right for the U.S. economy,” Mr. Sargen said.

Turkey’s central bank governor, Erdem Basci, said he won’t “refrain from permanent policy tightening,” affirming expectations for a key rate increase to support the lira at a forthcoming rate announcement. Also, a 0.25-percentage-point rate increase by India’s central bank lent support to India’s rupee and other recently battered emerging-market currencies.

“The central bank actions have stabilized things for now, but we don’t know if that will be temporary or enduring,” said Patrick Chovanec, chief strategist at Silvercrest Asset Management, which oversees about $14.1 billion. “People are still in the process of digesting and dissecting the risks.” “We’re sort of stuck, between looking backward at the emerging-market meltdown and looking forward to the Fed,” Mr. Chovanec said.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note ticked down to 2.762% from 2.766% late Monday. Crude-oil futures advanced 1.8% to $97.43 a barrel, while gold futures shed 1% to $1,251.20 an ounce. The dollar gained some ground against the euro and the yen.

In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 rose 0.8%, after sliding 4.2% over the previous three sessions. Germany’s DAX 30 index added 0.7%, and France’s CAC 40 gained 1.2%. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 tacked on 0.5% after data showing fourth-quarter gross domestic product grew as expected.

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets exchange traded fund climbed after tumbling 5.4% over the past three sessions and 8.9% since the start of the year. Emerging-market stocks and currencies have been hit hard recently by worries over slowing growth in China, concerns over reduced stimulus from the Federal Reserve and geopolitical stresses in Turkey, Argentina, South Africa and Ukraine. Asian markets were mixed. China’s Shanghai Composite edged up 0.3%, while Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average slipped 0.2%.

In corporate news, Apple slumped after reporting better-than-expected fiscal first-quarter earnings and revenue but iPhone sales that were a bit shy of forecasts, and after providing its customary conservative outlook for the current quarter.

Ford Motor rose after the auto maker reported fourth-quarter earnings and revenue that handily beat forecasts and affirmed its 2014 outlook.

Within the Dow, Pfizer advanced after reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings.

DuPont fell, reversing earlier gains, even after reporting better-than-expected results. The company also said it would start a $5 billion share-repurchase program.

– WALLSTREET JOURNAL

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Content Creation Can Buy 4 Lamborghini’s – Comedian Josh2Funny Reveals

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Nigerian comedian and popular skit maker, Chibuike Josh Alfred, known by his stage name Josh2Funny, has shed light on the profitability of the content-creating industry.

In a recent interview with Echo Room, Josh2Funny highlighted the impressive financial potential that content creators can achieve, noting that it is possible for them to comfortably afford multiple luxury cars, including up to four Lamborghini vehicles.

Speaking candidly, Josh2Funny emphasised that content creation has become an extremely lucrative field due to the constant demand for fresh and engaging material. “If you want to buy four Lamborghini from content creation, you can buy it,” he said.

His remarks underscore the significant revenue opportunities available in the digital content landscape.

Josh2Funny explained that the continuous consumption of online content is what drives its profitability. “What do you think we are doing in the content-creating industry? Are we joking? You all are with your phones, when you’re in the bathroom, when you’re [using the restroom], you’re consuming our stuff. It’s like pure water,” he stated.

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The comedian further elaborated that businesses or industries that deliver products consumed on a daily basis often see the most substantial financial returns. Content creation, with its high rate of daily consumption by audiences worldwide, aligns perfectly with this model.

“People are out there, consuming our content every time,” he said, reinforcing the idea that the reach and influence of content creators have never been more extensive.

Josh2Funny’s insights reveal why the content-creating industry has become a lucrative career path for many in Nigeria and around the world. With the continuous growth of social media platforms and the public’s insatiable appetite for entertainment and relatable content, creators are finding new and innovative ways to monetize their craft.

This shift not only highlights the potential for significant financial gain but also showcases the evolving landscape of digital media, where influencers, comedians, and skit makers can turn creativity into a sustainable and highly rewarding business.

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NIVEA Black & White Invisible Roll On Deodorant Batch No. 93529610 Not On Sale in Nigeria

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A safety alert notification by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Nigeria issued on October 31, 2024, regarding NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant (50 ml) batch number 93529610, in relation to the general European Union (EU) Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products (RAPEX), has come to our attention.

The batch is said to contain 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (BMHCA).

In a statement on Saturday, in Lagos, Beiersdorf, the owner of NIVEA brand, assured that the “the Batch No. 93529610 in question has not been marketed in Nigeria and thus never recalled”.

According to the statement, Beiersdorf was well informed that “Based on current European legislation, the use of ingredient 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl propionaldehyde (LilialTM) in cosmetic products has been banned from the European markets as of March 1, 2022.”

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It acknowledged that “The batch in question, in fact, expired in January 2022 and was hence at the time fully compliant with the then valid European cosmetic regulation.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, Beiersdorf is working collaboratively with NAFDAC to safeguard the interest of the Nigerian consumers by ensuring that our locally manufactured product meets the global quality standards.”

It maintained that “The safety of our consumers remains our highest priority, consistent with our ethical philosophy as a business.”

In pursuit of this commitment, Beiersdorf’s entire NIVEA product portfolio formulations have been reformulated to be Lilial-free formulas in full compliance with the EU Regulation on cosmetic products well ahead of its Lilial ban coming into effect as far back as March 1, 2022. For instance, the formulation of NIVEA BLACK & WHITE Invisible Roll-on deodorant has been Lilial-free since at least 2020 across the globe, including Nigeria.

“Our trade partners were informed ahead of time and reminded of their responsibility to remove the outdated Lilial-containing products within the legal timeframe to fulfill their obligations with the European Cosmetic Product Regulation,” it added.

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Shell, NNPC Ltd, Others Gift Three Universities ICT Centre, Digital Library

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The Shell companies in Nigeria teamed up with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and other stakeholders to build Information Communication Technology (ICT) centres and a digital library in Nigerian universities in 2024.

Biztellers reports that it initiative is part of their continuing support for education.

Some of the corporate bodies that executed the projects include the Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) and NNPC Ltd, and the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board (NCDMB).

The benefiting institutions were, the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, which got a digital library in April, the Sa’adu Zungur University (formerly Bauchi State University), Gadau in Bauchi State, where an ICT Centre was commissioned in July, by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) as part of the Joint Venture with NNPC, TotalEnergies and NAOC.

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In what would sound like singing-off on the educational intervention initiative for 2024, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), overflew with joy at the unveil of a world-class engineering design studios and ICT hub, courtesy of the SPDC, NNPC Ltd and other Joint Venture partners collaborated with NCDMB.

Reflecting on the three facilities, Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, and Managing Director, SPDC, Osagie Okunbor, said, “This is Shell working to power lives in Nigeria. The projects have changed the academic and physical landscapes in the three universities and linked the students and lecturers to the global learning arena.”

The facilities at FUTO include two state-of-the-art engineering design studios and a fully furnished 100-seater ICT lecture hall, equipped with computers and smartboards with dedicated power and water supplies. FUTO was selected for the project as part of the “institutional strengthening” in the catchment area of SPDC’s Assa North Ohaji South Gas Development Project. They were launched at a colourful ceremony attended by representatives of the Imo State Government and principal officers of the university.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, represented by the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, said, “We deeply appreciate the efforts of our partners in NNPC, SPDC, Total Energies, and NAOC JV, who have invested in the future of Imo State by supporting this critical project. Your commitment to human capacity building aligns perfectly with our goals, and together, we will continue to drive innovation, skills development, and sustainable economic growth for our people.”

Okunbor’s address at the commissioning was read by General Manager, External Relations, Igo Weli, in which he expressed happiness “that the collaboration of SPDC, Joint venture partners, NCDMB, and FUTO has resulted in this successful social investment project that demonstrates our commitment to improving access to quality education for every Nigerian.”

On his part, the Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, called on Nigerian institutions to domesticate the advancements in AI and other technologies.

“Our AI must understand Igbo, Hausa, Efik, Yoruba, and other local languages,” he said, speaking through Dr. Ama Ikuru, the Director in charge of Capacity Building.

“We must leapfrog the innovations of other nations and become a net exporter of advanced technology to achieve the lofty ideals of Nigerian content development,” he added.

The Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti, said in his address which was read by the Senior Advisor Stakeholders Relations, Halimat Wilson, “Innovation thrives in an environment where ideas can be freely exchanged and developed. The Engineering Studio and ICT Hub is designed to be such a place where students, researchers, and faculty can collaborate on projects, share knowledge, and push the boundaries of what is possible.

Welcoming guests earlier, FUTO Vice Chancellor, Prof Nnenna Oti, thanked the sponsors of the project “for a landmark donation” to the university.

The Shell Companies in Nigeria have been education since the 1950s through scholarships and other initiatives. These efforts have resulted in the award of thousands of secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship awards, provision of educational infrastructure and establishment of sabbatical and internship programmes as well as centres of excellence in several universities.

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