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Ghana’ll soon reopen 400 Nigerian-owned shops, Ekweremadu pledges

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The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has said respite is coming the way of the Nigerian business community in Ghana as the government of the West African country has promised to reconsider its policy on foreign businesses, following his intervention.

Ekweremadu said the implementation of the policy had led to the shutting of over 400 shops owned by Nigerians in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

The lawmaker, who is a former Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, gave the indication on his Facebook page on Sunday, following his discussions with the Regional Minister of the Ashanti Region, Simon Osei-Mensah.

The Government of Ghana in August this year ordered the sealing off of over 400 shops belonging to Nigerians at the expiry of an eviction order issued by the Ministry of Trade.

Ekweremadu noted that the freedom of the peoples of the sub-region to ply their trades in any part of West Africa was central to the prosperity of ECOWAS.

He said, “I spoke with the Regional Minister of Ashanti, Ghana, my brother and former deputy at the ECOWAS Parliament, Simon Osei-Mensah, over the weekend on the pains of the Nigerian business community in the Ashanti Region of Ghana on the sealing off of over 400 Nigerian-owned shops in Ghana, especially in Kumasi.

“We shared thoughts on the need to uphold the spirit and letters of the various ECOWAS Protocols as well as the pursuit of the ECOWAS Vision 2020, which aims at a transition from an ECOWAS of states to ECOWAS of peoples.

“Osei-Mensah assured me of the safety of Nigerian businesses and people in Ghana, noting that he would personally take up the matter with the authorities to ensure that the shops were reopened immediately.”

Ekweremadu added, “Nigeria and Ghana have come a long way and it is my hope that we will continue to nurture this relationship for the mutual benefit of our respective countries.

“Meanwhile, I am in touch with the Nigerian business community in Ghana, including the National President, Nigerian Union of Traders Associations, Ghana, Mr Chukwuemeka Nnaji, and I have urged them to remain calm, law-abiding and continue to live in peace with their hosts in the spirit of African and ECOWAS brotherhood.”

GrassRoots.ng is on a critical mission; to objectively and honestly represent the voice of ‘grassrooters’ in International, Federal, State and Local Government fora; heralding the achievements of political and other leaders and investors alike, without discrimination. This daily, digital news publication platform serves as the leading source of up-to-date information on how people and events reflect on the global community. The pragmatic articles reflect on the life of the community people, covering news/current affairs, business, technology, culture and fashion, entertainment, sports, State, National and International issues that directly impact the locals.

Energy

AVEVA is providing data management support for renewable natural gas projects

Reporter: Godwin Ezeh

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Caspar Herzberg, CEO of AVEVA

Key Highlights

●        AVEVA’s industrial information infrastructure has been selected by Archaea Energy to provide key data management support

●        AVEVA’s industrial software to optimize performance across Archaea’s RNG plants

AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software driving digital transformation and sustainability, has been selected by Archaea Energy, the largest renewable natural gas (RNG) producer in the US, to build a comprehensive operations data management infrastructure.

Using AVEVA’s software, Archaea Energy can collect, enrich and visualize its real-time operations data, enabling performance analysis across its growing network of plants.

Using AVEVA PI Data Infrastructure, a hybrid solution with cloud data services, the plants will be able to share data to highlight operational opportunities and optimize efficiency.

Caspar Herzberg, CEO, AVEVA, stated,

“Through this collaboration and the use of AVEVA PI Data Infrastructure, Archaea’s growing network of plants will have streamlined operations with accurate performance analysis throughout the expansion. AVEVA’s CONNECT software platform leverages industrial intelligence from a central location, making it easier to deploy additional digital solutions in the future.”

“As the largest RNG producer in the United States, we are dedicated to delivering reliable, clean energy,” said Starlee Sykes, chief executive officer of Archaea Energy. “This relationship will allow us to optimize operations and offer detailed performance analysis as we continue to expand across the country.”

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GRBusiness

Five WhatsApp Business Features Every Small Business Should Be Using

By Sandra Ani

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WhatsApp Business

Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises(SMBs) are the backbone of most economies accounting for 90% of businesses, over 70% of employment, and 50% of global GDP, according to the United Nations. They drive growth, innovation, and job creation worldwide. 

In Nigeria, they play a crucial role in stimulating local economies and contributing to the country’s GDP. 

Recognising their impact, WhatsApp is committed to empowering SMBs with the tools to succeed through the WhatsApp Business App, by reaching their customers where they already are. 

WhatsApp continues to be the best way for people and businesses to get business done in Nigeria. With its efficient features, the WhatsApp Business App has become an indispensable tool for small businesses, helping them streamline communication, enhance customer engagement and drive sales. And we know customers love communicating with businesses over WhatsApp too, as nearly 80% of people globally message with a business at least once a week.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to optimise your business operations, here are five essential WhatsApp Business features that can elevate your efficiency and customer interactions.

1. Catalog – Showcase Your Products and Services

Gone are the days of sending multiple images and descriptions individually to customers. With the Catalog feature, you can create a digital storefront where customers can browse your offerings within WhatsApp. This is just like a mini-website which makes it easier to showcase your products, prices and descriptions in an organised way.

How to Use It: Go to Business Tools > Catalog. Add product images, videos, names, descriptions and pricing.

2. Quick Replies – Save Time on Repetitive Questions

Answering the same customer questions repeatedly? Quick Replies let you create preset responses for frequently asked questions, saving you time and ensuring fast customer service.

How to Use It:Go to Settings > Business Tools > Quick Replies. Create and save responses such as a greeting message or order confirmation. Use the shortcut “/” to insert a quick reply in any chat

3. Labels – Stay Organised and Track Conversations

Managing multiple customer interactions can be overwhelming, but the Labels feature helps by categorising chats in different ways, such as order status or customer type. You can create labels with different colors or names and add the conversations  to an entire chat. This keeps your inbox organised and ensures no customer is left waiting.

How to Use It: Open a chat, tap on the three-dot menu > Label Chat. Assign relevant labels like New Customer, Order Placed, Pending Payment.

4. Away Messages – Engage Customers Even When You’re Away

Never miss a customer inquiry again. Away Messages allow you to set up a greeting or away message, ensuring customers receive timely responses even outside business hours.

How to Use It: Go to Business Tools > Away Message / Greeting Message. Set up a custom message and schedule when it should be sent.

5. Meta Verified – For Enhanced Protection and Account Support

A paid subscription that helps your business build credibility with new audiences, Meta Verified can help drive more engagement and grow your brand.  With Meta Verified, you’ll receive enhanced account support, can use WhatsApp across multiple devices and  easily create a professional WhatsApp web page that’s tailored to you.

How to Use It: Go to Settings or Business Tools > tap Meta Verified.
WhatsApp Business is packed with features designed to help small businesses grow, stay organised, and engage with customers effortlessly. By leveraging these features, you can enhance your customer experience, increase efficiency and ultimately drive more sales. Start your own journey with the WhatsApp Business app here.

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Transport

Bolt Shares the Spirit of Ramadan with Kano Drivers-Partners

Reporter: Sandra Ani

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Iftar gathering in Kano by Bolt
The Iftar gathering in Kano organised by Bolt

Bolt, the leading ride-hailing platform, on Thursday, 19th of March hosted an Iftar gathering in Kano to bring together Muslim drivers during the holy month of Ramadan.

The event was not only an opportunity to share a meal but also served as a platform for open dialogue, feedback exchange, and community building within the Bolt driver network.

The Iftar event, held in recognition of the significance of Ramadan, reinforced Bolt’s commitment to supporting its driver-partners and fostering inclusivity across all communities. The gathering provided an environment for drivers to voice their concerns, share their experiences, and engage directly with the Bolt team in a collaborative discussion about improving their experience on the platform.

Speaking during the event, Osi Oguah, the general manager for Bolt Nigeria said: “At Bolt, we recognize the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive environment for our driver-partners.

This Iftar event was more than just a meal,  it was a chance to connect, listen, and understand the challenges and needs of our drivers in Kano. We appreciate their dedication, especially during this sacred period of Ramadan.”

Drivers in attendance expressed their appreciation for the initiative, highlighting the sense of belonging and recognition the event fostered. Many also welcomed the opportunity to discuss ways to improve their overall experience on the Bolt platform, making it a productive and meaningful engagement for all participants.

Nura Muhammed, a driver-partner said: “We want to say thank you to Bolt for this initiative, if my knowledge serves me right, this is the first time a ride-hailing company will organize such an event in Kano. This event has also made it possible for us to share some feedback to them physically and we drivers mostly get to connect through our online platform but today, we’re able to meet physically, mingle and exchange pleasantries”

Bolt remains committed to strengthening driver engagement and well-being, and this Iftar gathering is part of a broader effort to continuously support and empower driver-partners across Nigeria.

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