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Glo Joins The PSB Fray As MoneyMaster PSB Launches With G-Kala

Telecom industry transformational leader, Globacom, has announced the commencement of its payment service bank business with the official launch of MoneyMaster PSB on October 6, 2022. The PSB commenced commercial operations on May 30, 2022.

A statement released by the company noted that: “Our over-arching business objective remains to empower Nigerians by providing them with unlimited opportunities. MoneyMaster extends that objective as it targets the unbanked and under-banked with G-Kala its flagship product in order to deepen financial inclusion in Nigeria.”

MoneyMaster PSB was granted a payment service bank license by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on August 27, 2020. Payment service banks can, by virtue of their licenses, facilitate payment and remittance services within Nigeria, accept deposits from individuals and small businesses, issue debit and prepaid cards, operate electronic wallets, inbound remittances, and carry out other services in line with CBN regulations. They however differ from commercial banks in the fact that they cannot grant loans.

MoneyMaster will be leveraging Globacom’s pan-Nigerian spread and pervasive agents’ footprint in the rural and urban areas as it begins its massive roll-out.

To open an account, all the customer needs to do is dial *995# then follow the prompts from a Glo line or from any other telecommunications network as MoneyMaster PSB is network agnostic.

Just as Globacom revolutionized the telecom industry with cutting-edge technology and unique products when it started operations in 2003, MoneyMaster PSB is poised to redefine the payment service banks’ landscape while driving financial inclusion in Nigeria.

“One key feature of MoneyMaster’s G-kala product is that the customer’s phone number will be used as his or her account number,” the statement continued.

“We are grateful to the CBN for the opportunity to deepen financial inclusion in Nigeria using our cutting-edge technology and vast network.”

With 133.5m bank accounts in Nigeria as of December 2021 according to figures released by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) and with only 54 million BVNs registered as of April 10, 2022, there is a huge gap of about 79m Nigerians and potential for PSBs like MoneyMaster to help bring many unbanked and under-banked into the financial services ecosystem.

FIRSTBANK COMMEMORATES 2022 CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK

FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider has announced its commemoration of the 2022 edition of the Customer Service Week scheduled to be globally celebrated on 3 – 7 October 2022.

The event themed: “Celebrating Service” will be marked across its FBNBank subsidiaries in over half a dozen countries which include FBNBank UK, FBNBank Ghana, FBNBank Senegal, FBNBank Gambia, FBNBank Guinea, FBNBank DRC and FBNBank Sierra Leone.

Customer Service Week is an international celebration that highlights the importance of customer service and staff who serve and support customers daily to deliver exceptional service to customers.

The Bank’s celebration of the 2022 Customer Service Week will include several activities considered integral to promoting a relaxed atmosphere whilst extending its participation to everyone, irrespective of where they are. The activities include virtual engagement of customers on its social media handles: firstbanknigeria on Instagram; First Bank of Nigeria Limited on Facebook; First Bank of Nigeria Limited on LinkedIn and @FirstBankngr on Twitter.

Others are a video booth and photo frame funfair, then a Virtual Party on the Friday of the weeklong event and a movie date for staff.

Through the last 128 years of its operations, FirstBank has played a leading role in utilizing its robust customer service network and digital banking architecture to support its customers – cutting across diverse cultures, tribes and races beyond the shores of Nigeria – in meeting their individual and business needs. The Bank achieves this through its innovative, interactive, self-service banking platforms like *894# Quick Banking mobile solution, FirstMobile banking application, Firstmonie Agents, FirstOnline internet banking, WhatsApp banking, and ATM amongst many others. The Bank’s electronic banking channels are constantly updated with new and exciting features to expose customers to exemplary services and experience to put them at an advantage in the industry.

According to Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank “for us at FirstBank, celebrating service, the theme of the 2022 edition of the Customer Service Week is a reflection of our brand mantra “You First”. This reiterates the essence of our existence since 1894, centred on putting You, our customers First as we continue to support individuals and businesses to impact the economy.

With our dynamic and vibrant human-led and digital-led customer services operations, we remain committed to rendering the gold standard of services to our customers and stakeholders regardless of where they may be across the globe” she concluded.

The Jagaban of Borgu is not a saint but the best option for Nigeria 2023! – Hon. Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye

Just like no one is perfect, Asiwaju is not perfect. Yes he was complacent in many areas of need by the Nigerian masses and some elites too!, Yes he has some advisers who do not genuinely have his interest and the interest of Nigeria at heart and who continues to mislead and shield him from the truth as well from good people for their personal gains ONLY! Alas this man, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a kind hearted man who had been very good in identifying talents, putting round pegs in round holes, growing economies, people and brilliantly knows our problems as a people and as a nation. He knows exactly what to do to fix it!!

Senator knows that he can NOW become unselfish having had ALL that life has got to give and as Governor from arguably the most populous City in Africa; He is a king maker and a talented strategist, A firm decision maker and a people person! He MUST become more understanding now and intelligently face the National problems with practicable sustainable solutions, where we can start reducing our debts, increasing our capacity in areas of power generation and distribution, “put feathers back on the body of the hens” so that ‘the hen’ can flourish especially where we can simultaneously put GOOD teams together to ensure we STOP miscarriages of Justice, impunity and embolden the LAW, it’s communication and it’s respect.

Bola Tinubu, is a fair person, who must allow the people to own structures and make them accountable. Nigerians are embodiment of brilliance! I however understand that the human mind is unpredictable, the reason some of our leaders are forced to handle governance the way they do – with fear and control, but this man has come a long way and knows by now, the REAL rules of the game! He will have to make changes even to his kitchen cabinet and I mean that literally – provisions of what he eats and drinks.

The unity of our country, as we know it lies in a leadership that understands the good, the bad and the ugly and can sincerely retrace their steps, ask for forgiveness from the people, empathize and sympathize with the plight of our people and then strategically push forward an agenda that will make everyone, not just barely survive but thrive. I know the entrenched and entitled over the past 62 years will throw kicks, but that’s okay.

I want to see a Nigeria where I will not be afraid to ply the roads to any part of our beautifully blessed country, A country that can be fair to its citizens and uphold the rights of the oppressed, no matter what; One where our ‘young’ men and ladies alike turning 40 can be proud to plan for their future without fear; Where ethical values will be upheld and a reorientation by example can become the norm.; A country where our community responsibilities prevails. Frantic and pragmatic decisions should be made about the state of our Federation in terms of what needs to be reset and or corrected. Let us resonate HOPE again and for the right reasons!!

For historical minds, you remember in the Bible that Saul who became Paul was a persecutor of the Christians until his soul was seized by the Creator and he became the defender of good and the Christians. The same can be said in the Quran where the grandfather of the Prophet, Abdulmutalib was a non believer and a persecutor of the Muslims but changed to become a defender of the Muslims. Malcom X was a criminal who was jailed only to become the fighter for the oppressed. Many examples of leaders of history who had to go through the bad side of the people to later gain the trust of the people without fear are not farfetched.

Ahmed Tinubu can bring about these core changes and some others which I have not mentioned here! ASIWAJU, you may want to close shops and take stock of what had been purchased by you albeit humans. Kindly let’s change narratives and salvage our country! I believe you have what it takes! Political party or not! I dare say that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the best option for a United Nigeria at this point of our 62 years history as a country and he deserves our support.

Signed:

Hon Mrs Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye.

Former Gubernatorial Aspirant

FIRSTBANK PARTNERS VERVE INTERNATIONAL, MAKES CUSTOMERS MILLIONAIRES IN THE FIRSTBANK VERVE CARD PROMO

In partnership with FirstBank – Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider – Verve International, Africa’s leading payment technology and card business, has launched its third National Consumer promo designed to reward users of FirstBank verve card with exciting gifts and cash prizes to appreciate their patronage and use of the card to carry-out their electronic banking transactions.

The ongoing 2-month promo will end on 30 October 2022 as 20 customers (10 customers per month) with the highest transaction count during the promo will be made millionaires, winning the sum of N1 million each. Also, N20,000 will be won by 25 customers monthly.

On the other hand, 2620 FirstBank verve cardholders that double their transactions every week, stand a chance to enjoy 10% cashback capped at N2,000 per customer.

Speaking on the promo Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products, FirstBank said “we appreciate our partnership with Verve Card through the years; a partnership of empowerment and opportunities which include growing the economy, supporting new businesses and preventing unemployment. FirstBank verve card holders are encouraged to keep using their cards as it is a card offering that promotes safe, convenient and rewarding digital banking experience with 20 customers standing a chance to be millionaires at the end of the promo.”

Verve card is a secure debit card that allows cardholders to conveniently meet their daily financial needs such as payment for goods and services, airtime recharge, bill payments, funds transfer, etc. Verve card is accepted across all ATMs, POS, Web and Mobile Platforms in Nigeria.

The promo is also opened to new verve cardholders as non-verve cardholders are encouraged to visit the nearest FirstBank branch today to pick up a Verve card and start getting rewarded!

Only recently, FirstBank – in partnership with Verve – rewarded over 2601 FirstBank verve cardholders with various prizes; including N20,000 cash prize, N10,000 cash prize, N10,000 worth of airtime; power generating sets, refrigerator, cooking gas, smart TV and the grand prize of a brand-new car to a lucky winner.

Obasa to Remi Tinubu At 62: Your Roles In Nigeria’s Democracy Are Indelible

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has congratulated Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her 62nd birthday.

Dr. Obasa, in a statement by Eromosele Ebhomele, his Chief Press Secretary, described the former First Lady of Lagos as one whose love for Nigeria and roles in national unity and development are worthy of emulation by every well-meaning citizen.

The Speaker added that Senator Tinubu has continued to etch her name in the history of Nigeria as a politician of repute, a champion of the downtrodden and an advocate for the youth, the aged and good governance.

He noted Senator Tinubu’s passion for a greater Nigeria both as a crusader for a more vibrant democracy and as a serving member of the National Assembly.

“As the loving wife of our dear leader and presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, you have been a major pillar of support and progress.

“That Nigeria practises democracy today is partly as a result of the roles you played while the military held on the the government of the country. History is replete with how you worked tirelessly against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election result won by Chief MKO Abiola and how you took care of many exiled members of the National Democratic Coalition and citizens of Nigeria who were at the time under the radar.

“As First Lady of Lagos State, your love for the education of the underprivileged in the society and the need to raise standards gave birth to your pet project, The Spelling Bee Competion, which, delightedly, has produced great minds and future leaders.

“Lagos is blessed with you and we are happy that you have remained a major support for the growth and development of our State. You have also remained a mentor to many Nigerians whose lives you have touched with your New Era Foundation and various scholarship programmes.

“On behalf of my family and members of the legislative arm of Lagos government, I congratulate you on your birthday and pray that God continue to bless you with good health, strength and divine capacity ahead of the bigger task before us all, amen,” Obasa prayed.

Queen Elizabeth: Lagos Assembly Wants More For Nigerian Traditional Rulers

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the government to improve the honour given first-class and prominent traditional rulers before and after their death.

This motion followed a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by the lawmaker representing Mushin Constituency 2, Hon. Olawale Abdulsobur Olayiwola, during on plenary on Monday.

Referring to the celebration that accompanied the burial ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II of England, Hon. Olayiwola observed that traditional rulers in Nigeria are never given adequate honour and recognition before and after their death.

In his comment, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa emphasised that while it might not be easy to honour all the traditional rulers in the state, first-class royal fathers should be celebrated.

The Speaker said that he shared the idea of celebrating those who make up the traditional institution adding: “We should learn how to elevate our own. If foreigners are coming to celebrate us through their documentaries, we should think deeply about celebrating ourselves too.

“The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs should fashion out how best our Obas should be celebrated.

“Occupiers of recognised thrones that have been in existence for many years should be celebrated,” he said.

Earlier in his argument, Olayiwola had said: “Queen Elizabeth II left after over 70 years on the throne and the burial was attended by a delegation from Nigeria led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

“But here in Nigeria, we don’t celebrate our traditional rulers in death. An example was when the former Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, joined his ancestors recently. He was not celebrated as he should,” he lamented.

Olayiwola, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Community Affairs, called on the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs to celebrate the traditional rulers in the state while they are alive and during their demise.

This was accepted by all the lawmakers at plenary.

Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Exclusive! Osinbajo Fingered in Barrister Kayode Ajulo’s Acquisition of Airplanes, Real Estate Worth £3 Billion

The owner at Castle of Law, Kayode Ajulo, according to information reaching us from grapevine sources, is presently on hot seat to explain the source of his new found wealth.

Sources revealed Ajulo, who just returned from a trip abroad where he stayed about 7 weeks, the longest he’s said to have stayed outside Nigeria’s shore in a long time, while away made some lavish acquisitions that include 3 airplanes, hectares of farm land and real estates in the Scandinavian.

It was learnt Lord Abraham Ajulo, as Kayode is also called, splashed funds in the region of about 3 billion pounds during the trip, which suggest he’s the richest lawyer in black Africa.

However, beyond the expected excitement this development has brought for the man in question, sources hinted the lawyer is under fire as there are questions in some quarters about where he could have stumbled on such stupendous wealth. Those who are concerned about Ajulo’s sudden wealth are wondering where and how he made such money despite his fierce advocacy, activism and anti-corruption crusades.

More interesting of the issue are speculations about where he may have gotten the money from, and major among those speculations is the one that links Ajulo’s new found wealth with the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

Ajulo, it will be recall played a very significant and daring role where he persistent and aggressively doled out legal permutation and speculations in rooting for the aspiration of the Vice President in the wake of APC presidential primary, in which the Law Professor eventually lost out.
However, no concrete mode of how the speculated alliance between Ajulo and Osinbajo resulted into fortune for the former, but sources insisted Osinbajo’s influence can not be excused from the entire calculation.

Prince Fuhad Oloto Gives Out Education Accessories To Indigent Students

Born in royalty and one of the most successful businessmen of Nigeria’s younger generation, Prince Fuhad Oloto, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Futol Group of Companies comprising Futol Homes, Futol Environmental Services, Futol Hotels, Futol Guards Ltd. and Futol Logistics is set to empower indigent students with educational accessories. While briefing High Celebrity Squard Magazine on this noble step, the imperial prince affirmed that he has been doing this for many years and he is never inspired by anything to venture into it.

Prince Oloto added that he is of the opinion that the Almighty God that blesses humanity expects reciprocal approach in return. This implies that privileged ones should imbibe the culture of giving back to the underprivileged.

The real estate giant will give out large numbers of note books and GCE Forms to indigent primary and secondary school students and this will go a long way in relieving the heavy burden of parents, many of whom are currently at crossroads over payments of school fees and purchase of these academic essentials. However, lucky beneficiaries of these materials will appreciate the kind gestures of Prince Fuhad Oloto. Additionally, this humanitarian move by the successful business tycoon is a pointer for other privileged Nigerians to take a cure from him and take critical look into the plight of the poor masses, help in alleviating poverty from the country and exterminating illiteracy from the larger society. Remarkable kudos to this indefatigable, indomitable, committed philanthropist and a man of the people, Prince Fuhad Oloto.

PRUDENTIAL ZENITH LIFE INSURANCE RECORDS 75% GROWTH IN PROFIT AFTER TAX IN FULL YEAR 2021 RESULTS

Prudential Zenith Life Insurance Limited (“PZL”) has announced its audited financial results for the year ended 31^st December 2021, recording a 75% growth in profit after tax (PAT) of ₦1.13b compared to the ₦646m recorded in the corresponding period in 2020.

The results, which was approved by the Board of Directors of Prudential Zenith and the insurance industry regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), shows that Gross Written Premium (GWP) and Annualized Premium Equivalent (APE) grew year on year by 16.3% and 9.3% respectively. This was primarily driven by 27% growth in new business acquisition for Group Life written during the period.

Investment income grew by 30% year-on-year due to a significant increase in the interest-generating assets of the company, and commission income also increased by 43% during the period.

The financial performance is a testament to the continued focus on investments, as the company remains committed to building a strong market-leading position in Nigeria by enhancing its capabilities, strengthening its digitally enabled multi-channel distribution network, and broadening the range of products and services that are available to customers in order to meet their needs.

Despite the challenges experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Prudential Zenith was able to achieve this strong growth in 2021 and is poised to continue improving its performance in the upcoming financial years. Prudential Zenith will continue to develop and launch unique products to meet customers’ needs, leveraging technology and its core corporate governance structure to deliver faster claims settlement. The company will also continue to prioritize the health, safety, and welfare of customers, who subscribe to its unique insurance product offerings.

Prudential Zenith Life Insurance Ltd (PZL) is a subsidiary of Prudential Plc., established in 2017 when Prudential Plc acquired a 51% holding in Zenith Life Insurance. PZL is one of the most capitalized companies in the Nigerian insurance industry with a wide range of individual products including savings & investments-linked products, endowment, and protection products designed to meet the needs of individuals and their families. For corporate clients, the company’s product offerings include Group Life, Key-Man Assurance, Credit Life, School Fees Protection, and Mortgage Protection, ensuring that the welfare of clients’ staff and families are met.

Prudential Plc provides life and health insurance, and asset management in Africa and Asia, helping people get the most out of life by making healthcare affordable and accessible and by promoting financial inclusion. Prudential protects people’s wealth, helps them grow their assets, and empowers them to save for their goals. It has more than 19 million life customers and is listed on stock exchanges in London (PRU), Hong Kong (2378), Singapore (K6S), and New York (PUK).

Prudential Plc has insurance operations in eight countries in Africa: Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Togo Uganda, and Zambia. With over 1 million customers, Prudential Africa works with over 11,000 agents and six exclusive bank partnerships, with access to over 600 branches to bring value-added insurance solutions to its customers.

Heritage Bank joins forces with Gail Sickle Initiative to rescue sickle cell patients

Heritage Bank Plc has upped the ante of its support in the corporate social responsibility space by joining forces with Gail Sickle Initiative to rescue people living with sickle cell anaemia.

The partnership with Gail Sickle Initiative, a non-profit organisation, according to the Executive Director, Heritage Bank, Osepiribo Ben-Willie with its back-to-school project support, is to ameliorate the burden of sickle cell persons in Nigeria and to ensure that all affected persons live normal pain-free lives.

She stated it has become of concern to Heritage Bank to help alleviate the burden as over 40million Nigerians are healthy carriers of the sickle cell gene, whilst 150, 000 children are born with the disorder. This, according to her, is by far the largest burden of sickle cell disorder around the world especially Nigeria and most of these children die in childhood from lack of access to early diagnosis and proper care.

“In Heritage Bank, health is a priority, that is why we want to continue partnering and supporting the NGO, Gail Sickle Initiative on welfare support, early detection and improved treatment and proper care,” she said.

Ben-Willie further affirmed that said that Heritage Bank in partnership with Gail Sickle Initiative is synergizing to create significant awareness and support for individuals affected by the disease.

Speaking at an event, the convener of Gail Sickle Initiative, Oluwafemi Ajayi, disclosed that with the support from Heritage Bank, the NGO has gone beyond its support to her members whom she refers to as winning warriors, to supporting and donating to people living with the sickle cell disease across the country.

According to her, as an organisation that supplies supplements to winning warriors, the Gail Sickle Initiative partnered with Heritage Bank and with the funds provided went beyond the organisations’ members and reached out to other winning warriors who have no parental support and to those in various hospital to give them supplements and offset the bill of some who were unable to pay their bills.

Ajayi further stated that Sickle Cell disorder poses various challenges to the carriers like the health challenge, stigmatisation, economic challenge amongst others.

According to her, the Gail Sickle Initiative focused on how to cover every aspect of these challenges by birthing the Sicklepreneur, this aids the warriors to be trained so they can acquire relevant skills and equip themselves to be independent. Therefore, apart from trying to eradicate the sickle cell disease, they ensure that the stigmatisation label on the warriors does not result in depression for them.

She encouraged other corporate organisations to learn from Heritage Bank’s sterling example to the winning warriors by supporting the initiative and further contributed towards the back-to-school project with relevant items donated.