NewsProbe News from Nigeria and Around the world
As at 8 am on Friday, November 29, all passers-by could notice that a big event was about to take place on the large expanse of land that form part of Eko Atlantic City, Bar-Beach Bus Stop on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The stream of vehicles, the presence of mobile policemen and their vehicles and the number of people on red t-shirts, evidenced this. The musical vibes wafting from afar added to the ambience of the serene environment of the place.
The event is the second edition of the Zenith Bank Plc Style initiative. It practically lit-up the vicinity of Eko Atlantic city as it kicked off in grand style setting the stage for social and entertainment scene this December.
Titled StylebyZenith 2.0, the event is a Zenith Bank sponsored three-day family lifestyle fair taking place at the Eko Energy City Grounds (next to Eko Atlantic) along Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island. Over 200 companies, many of which are small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are exhibiting their products at the fair.
As early as 8 am, visitors were already streaming into the venue of the showpiece which comprises daily lifestyle fairs where people purchase items at discounted prices, daily Master-classes focusing on the businesses of movie making, music production, make-up, hair styling and fashion as well as musical concerts featuring Nigeria’s top A list artists.
There was also a super dope Aspire game arcade for gaming enthusiasts and the ZECA Play World for children. Also, there were musical vibes wafting from every nook and cranny of the venue of the event.
All of these were on display as both children and adults were in happy mood reflecting the ambiance of the place and the objective of the initiative.
The three-day fair, it was gathered, has an interesting line-up of activities including runway modelling by leading Nigerian and international models accessorized by top designers, modelling masterclasses, exhibition of lifestyle, beauty, health and fitness products, food and drinks, games arcade for both children and adults as well as musical concert featuring Nigeria’s biggest artistes.
The event provided yet another level playing ground for the nation’s three telecom providers: MTN Nigeria Plc, Airtel and Glo to showcase their strength. Each of the big-three telecom giants tries its best to garner as much subscribers as possible before the end of the fair on December 1.
Almost everything is in place. To ensure uninterrupted electricity, there are two giant power generators, just as there is tight security to shore up the confidence of the visitors and exhibitors. There is branded bottled water for everyone to drink at the event and all of these costs are borne by Zenith.
It was not immediately possible to know the cost of the showpiece, but an official of the bank who does not want his name in print told NewsProbe that everything, including the renting of the venue, the stands among others, was sponsored by the bank.
“The bank empowered everything; the stands are free for all exhibitors, including the customers of the bank,” he said. “The bank funded all these things”
On what the bank stands to gain from the initiative, NewsProbe learned that it was part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) to the country. “It is the tradition of the bank to give back to the society. It doesn’t want to be aloof to the society. That’s what you are seeing.”
First launched in 2018, the “Style by Zenith 2.0” initiative, was created with the objective of supporting and creating value for customers by focusing on various aspects of their lifestyle. The first edition of the initiative held in Lagos in December 29-30, last year at the Open Ground by Four Points Hotel, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The two-day fair is a potpourri of lifestyle activities featuring runway modelling by leading Nigerian and international models accessorized by top designers, beauticians, beauty and lifestyle products manufacturers, accessory makers, food and confectionery, entertainment for adults and children as well as performances by top Nigerian artistes, among other activities.
Essentially, according to the bank’s management, the show is geared towards engaging the lifestyle ecosystem and connecting the consumers to every aspect of quality and affordable living, thereby helping them live their best lives in their own interest.
It is a holistic event aimed at connecting the SMEs and retail segment to a multiplicity of clientele through multiple factors which dictate and direct their everyday lifestyle choices i.e. beauty, fashion, entertainment, food and general lifestyle (travel, automobile, houses) thus facilitating the growth of the individual retail and SME businesses.
According to the bank, “The crux of the ‘Style by Zenith’ campaign is the by-line… Live your best life. It is an aspirational call to people on all socio-economic strata of society, telling them they deserve and can indeed get, not just more, but the best quality, out of life at affordable prices.”
