24hr to Bethnews 6yrs Anniversary and Exceptional Leadership Awards 2021 And Publisher’s 40th Birthday
Come tomorrow Sunday 1st August, 2021, Trust Bethnews Media Communications and the publisher of Bethnews will be taking the center stage as the organisation and its publisher will be on the pedestal as it would be celebrating 6 years of consistently informing Nigerians,as well as present it’s glamorous EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS (TBELA) 2021 to the world which also concise with the 40 years birthday of the publisher.
However, the most important and spectacular aspect of Sunday’s event would be the convergence of the Media, Corporate, Politicians and Entertainment world and gathering of family and friends to witness and celebrate with the incredible and wonderful publisher of Bethnews, Mr. Seun Fabiyi, as he officially commences the journey of his fourth decade on earth.
Bethnews Exceptional Leadership Awards 2021
Billed to hold at the Lagos NUT Pavilion Event Centre, NERDC Road, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, red carpet starts 1:pm while event proper is from 2pm, the event is expected to be graced by the presence of the movers and shakers of all major industries and top dignitaries in public and private sector as well as traditional ruler and others.
Among the dignitaries expected to grace the auspicious event are; Seun Okinbaloye and Chief Kingsley Uranta of CHANNELS TV, Kolade Otitoju of TVC, Ola Onabajo of KAFTAN TV. And many more.
Premiere Academy is committed to unravelling the cause of Keren’s death
Premiere Academy Lugbe, Abuja has pledged its unreserved commitment to cooperating with the law enforcement agency to unravel the cause of Miss. Keren-Happuch Akpagher’s death who until her demise on 22nd June 2021 was an SS 1 student of the school.
The Acting Principal of Premiere Academy, Mr. Chris Akinsonwon restated the school’s commitment while addressing some allegations made against the school by the mother of the deceased – Mrs. Vihimga Akpagher in a press conference organised by ROOT TV.
Describing the allegations as disturbing, Mr. Akinsonwon said that Premiere Academy is bereaved at the moment because it has lost a future leader – Late Miss. Keren-Happuch Akpagher.
He further emphasized that Premiere Academy wholeheartedly carried out its expected responsibilities in taking care of Keren in all facets especially health-wise until the last day she left the school in a healthy condition as opposed to allegations that she was in an unhealthy state when she left the school.
In his words, “since Keren’s admission, the school managed her Type-1 Diabetes by administering the two times daily dose of Insulin injection with a controlled-diet which helped to maintain her blood glucose level until the day she was released to her mother on Saturday, 19 June, 2021.”
Additionally, he said that as a school that cares so much about its students’ well being mobilized and visited Keren at the hospital the day it learned of her hospitalization at Queens Hospital Wuse 2, Abuja, and has also visited the family repeatedly since her death.
Premiere Academy disclosed that it got to know about the alleged sexual molestation of Miss. Keren Akpagher in the media because it was never mentioned throughout its interaction with Mrs. Akpagher – Keren’s mother while Keren was hospitalized.
However, according to the acting principal Mr. Akinsonwon, the school swung into action by constituting an Internal Investigation Panel to probe the allegation and if anyone is found culpable he will be handed over to the police. In his words, “the school has honoured invitations from the Nigerian Police and we are cooperating with them to unravel the cause of Keren’s death.”
The Acting Principal stated that the school witnessed the Autopsy exercise and is waiting for the report. “As a school, we are fully committed to unravelling the cause of Keren’s death and we want justice for Late Miss. Keren-Happuch Akpagher if the allegations concerning her death are anything to go by.”
In a recent development, the Acting Principal responded to a Facebook post by an activist with the caption; “Unmasking Adams Idris: A Suspected Peadophile at Premiere Academy.” He stated that Premiere Academy is not a place for peadophiles and further asserted that any publication or post that does not emanate from the School’s Management or Board of Governors is not a representation of the school on the alleged cause of Keren’s death. According to Mr. Akinsonwon the school will deem it necessary to always inform the public as the event unfolds.
In his words; “Premiere Academy is safe for all students and over time we have demonstrated zero tolerance for sexual harassment of any kind – verbal or physical. This is evident in the suspension and subsequent dismissal of a staff member who was culpable of being involved in an “unguarded talk” with a student. “The police-ordered autopsy procedure report is not out, and as a school, we are waiting for the autopsy report.”
“We, therefore, enjoin all concerned stakeholders to patiently wait for the autopsy report.
The Conglomerate with strategic investments in the Power, Hospitality, and Energy sectors, recorded a profit after tax of N6.5bn, rising by 713% up from N0.8bn recorded in June of the previous year. Other key highlights of the result include the following:
Revenue rose by 53%, from N35.0bn in June 2020 to N53.3bn in the period under consideration.
Gross profit grew by 60%, from N14.7bn in June 2020 to N23.5bn in June 2021.
Profit before tax rose by 689% from N0.9bn in June 2020 to N7.1b in June 2021.
Commenting on the performance, Transcorp’s President/Group CEO, Mrs. Owen Omogiafo, reiterated the Conglomerate’s commitment towards producing long-term value and sustainable impact. “We are pleased to see the sustained growth in our group performance, which was achieved as a result of the improved performance across all the sectors we operate in. The revenue achieved in our power business grew by 48%, as a result of improved gas supply and increased generation capacity”, she stated.
Commenting on the hospitality sector, Omogiafo stated that the company’s strategic actions have resulted in a growth in revenue of up to 84%, despite the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the Nigerian and global hospitality industries. She expressed confidence in the company’s recovery strategies, citing the recent official launch of Aura, the company’s digital hospitality platform, as a testament to that confidence.
On the Transcorp Group’s capacity to sustain its performance, Omogiafo said, “We do not plan to rest on our oars. We will continue to sweat our existing assets and explore new frontiers, as we continue to deliver on our purpose of Improving Lives and Transforming Nigeria.”
“Ecobank Remains Payment Gateway in Africa” – Akinwuntan
The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan has reiterated that the Pan African bank remains the payment gateway for Africa. Akinwuntan who was speaking on the topic “Optimizing sustainable trade, investment and regional economic integration through effective partnerships between ECOWAS institutions and regional institutions and the organized private sector” at a webinar organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to commemorate the 46th anniversary of ECOWAS on Monday, stated that the bank’s state of the art digital payment and collection platform is promoting trade and commerce across the African continent.
According to him, Ecobank is present in all ECOWAS member states, stressing that the bank will continue to leverage its knowledge, footprint, and payment channels to promote trade and economic activities through its unique and large pan-African network that positions it to support businesses at all levels. He noted that “naturally for us as a Pan African bank, we are set up to support the economic integration and development of Africa. We have the commitment, capacity and network to support the realization of that objective. We have a platform that leverages technology which enables businesses within ECOWAS to operate as one market. In terms of payment and collection, we have just one banking platform that serves an entire industry. If you are an individual and you open an account and get our Mobile app, you have access to the 33 countries where we operate, and you can transact across these countries. It is a payment switch that ensures payment without going through SWIFT but ensures instant value across the network. For businesses, we have Omni platform, which is a web-based payment platform that enables you to first see your position across the 33 countries and make instant payment.”
Ecobank Patrick Akinwuntan
Mr. Akinwuntan added that Ecobank is also providing access to market without language barriers; building capacity of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and empowering women through various products such as the highly innovative Ellevate, a woman focused package targeting at least 40milion women owned business in the MSME space across Africa, by supporting them to become big businesses. “We provide access to the market, we know the continent, we know the sub-region and ECOWAS, this is part of what we offer at Ecobank. When you discuss with us in Ecobank, we are able to translate into the language you understand. Our financial statements are in English and French. In terms of MSMEs, which are critical, we have put in place an MSME Academy in partnership with AUDA-NEPAD solely for capacity building. But more importantly, we have also set aside N100 billion in Nigeria to support MSMEs. We have a regional trade desk that supports you by giving you access to market, finance, and capacity building. We are able to empower the MSME to gradually become pan African business partners leveraging technology.
Earlier in his welcome address, LCCI President, Mrs Toki Mabogunje said the webinar is to explore the opportunities and challenges of economic integration for stakeholders and for ECOWAS member states, adding that the forum also serves to examine the various trade policies, intra-regional commerce, smooth integration between member states and potential markets with borderless opportunities. She said LCCI will continue to partner with ECOWAS institutions to realise its objective of wealth creation, economic integration and commitment to peace and development.
Special Guest of Honour, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo lauded the efforts of ECOWAS in boosting trade in the sub-region. He was optimistic that collaboration with the organized private sector would further boost commerce and the economy of member states.
Ecobank’s Half-Year Profit Jumps By 33%, Revenue Rises
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) recorded a 33.04 per cent rise in its profit before tax for the first half of the year ended June 30, 2021. In its unaudited financial statement for the first half of the year 2021, Ecobank said its operating income improved by 15.35 per cent year-on-year from June 30, 2020. It said its operating profit before impairment charges and taxation rose by 32.62 per cent to N138.26bn.
At the end of H1 2021, Ecobank’s total assets increased to N11.02tn from N10.38tn in December 2020. The loans and advances to its customers fell from N3.70tn in H1 2020 to N3.63tn in H1 2021, while customer deposits in all its operating locations increased by 7.38 per cent from N7.32tn to N7.86tn. the total equity depreciated by 1.06 per cent as it reduced from N811.75m to N803.18bn.
Commenting, Ade Ayeyemi, Ecobank Group CEO, said: “We saw continued and sustained resilience in our performance, which is indicative of the success of our ‘execution momentum’ drive. As a result, we generated a return on tangible equity of 16.1% versus 15.2% a year ago and increased diluted EPS and tangible book value per share by 19% and 6%, respectively. In addition, profit before tax increased 23% to $210 million.”
“Group revenues rose 7% to $825 million, despite the challenging operating environment with the third wave of coronavirus infections threatening economic recovery. Our diversified pan-African business model continued to rise to the challenge. Revenues grew 13% and 6% in our Commercial and Consumer businesses, while our focus on growing the trade business led to increased trade assets. The slowly increasing business and spend activity drove a 20% rise in our Payments business’s revenue to $90 million. Deposits growth was strong, with total deposits now over $19 billion, an increase of $1.0 billion in the second quarter and $2.4 billion in a year, driven by our omnichannel strategy. Though loan growth remained flat, we are focused on providing support to MSMEs for growth,” Ayeyemi added.
“I am proud of the team’s hard work in driving efficiency, which continues to reflect in our cost-to-income ratio of 58.7% ahead of guidance and progressing well toward our medium-term goal of approximately 55%. In addition, credit quality continued to be exceptionally strong. As a result, our NPL ratio of 7.4% is a substantial improvement from the prior year’s 9.8%, as we also build reserves to insulate the balance sheet with an NPL coverage ratio of 86.7% and pushing towards our near-term target of 90%,” Ayeyemi continued.
“We successfully raised $350 million Tier 2 Sustainability Notes in June, the first-ever by a financial institution in sub-Saharan Africa and first to have a Basel III-compliant 10-year non-call 5 structure outside South Africa in 144A/RegS format. The Bond was 3.6 times oversubscribed, demonstrating strong confidence in the Ecobank Group and our commitment to the sustainability of our communities and their social needs. I am deeply grateful to all stakeholders and must thank our clients for continuing to put their trust in Ecobank for their diverse banking needs.” Ayeyemi concluded.
For the third straight offseason, Westbrook has been traded to a new team, a new organization, but this time a familiar city. The Oklahoma City fan favorite is heading back to his state, California.
What feels like a decade in the making, and with no shortage of pre-made photoshop jersey swaps, the LA Lakers add hometown hero Russell Westbrook. The UCLA product, who has already made history in this league, is in search of that elusive first NBA Championship.
The nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champ, three-time assist champ, who has made nine All-NBA teams, and the 2016-17 NBA MVP is teaming up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in LaLa Land.
This will be the best chance of capturing a ring since Westbrook was teammates with Kevin Durant.
Sure, there are some concerns with this fit. Mainly spacing, but LeBron has consistently made teammates better and found ways to maximize the roster around him.
With AD and LBJ more comfortable playing the center and power forward spots, it makes room for Westbrook leading the charge as the point guard. Barring health, the Purple and Gold will be must-watch TV.
For Westbrook, this will be a legacy-defining move. If anyone is up for the challenge, it is Russ. However, the unfair slander will only grow louder if he butts-heads with King James, and things go south with the Lakers.
Though, if the LA trio wins a title, the toxic behavior of NBA stan culture silently fades away. Westbrook gets his respect and gets to rise the Larry O’Brien for his hometown team.
Are you rooting for the Lakers this season now that they have added Russell Westbrook?
Heritage Bank hailed for supporting Ibadan Golf Club
Heritage Bank Plc has been commended for its continued supports to Nigeria’s sports’ sector, especially backing the Ibadan Golf Club’s 30th anniversary event.
The event that attracted dignitaries and stakeholders from various parastatals also had the presence of the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde and over 150 golfers who participated in the tournament during the weeklong celebration.
In a speech during the grand finale of the 30th anniversary of the club, the Captain of the Ibadan Golf Club, Oladiran Ibironke commended one of Nigeria’s most vibrant financial institutions, Heritage Bank and others for providing financial support to ensure the success of the event.
“Special thanks to Heritage Bank Plc., the anniversary’s major sponsor for enlarging our coast financially in order to make the anniversary elaborate and eventful. You will forever be remembered in the history of Ibadan Golf Club,” he stated.
Ibironke also praised the efforts of the founding fathers of the club while tracing the history of how the sporting club has continued to blossom.
He stated that tremendous transformations had occurred within the club since inception 30 years ago.
“We are celebrating 30 years today because some great minds came together and established what we are celebrating today.
“From the history that we heard, they started from Ibadan Recreation Club before moving over to where we are today in 1990,” Ibironke said.
Speaking on the 30th anniversary, the Ag. Group Head, Corporate Communications, Heritage Bank, Ozena Utulu noted that the Bank is delighted to be the lead sponsor and to be associated with Ibadan Golf Club, stating that the sponsorship is hinged on its brand’s passion to support sports, especially golf in promoting health, wellbeing, and nation building.
She stated that Heritage Bank, as the sponsor of Ibadan Golf Club’s 30th anniversary, is working assiduously towards achieving its vision of becoming a bank known for promoting healthy lifestyles and the general wellbeing of the society at large.
“Heritage Bank believes in development. We have the tenacity to develop and sport is a way of developing Nigerians both young and old. We want to encourage the golfers; I believe that this type of games is capable of helping them to keep healthy and fit,” Utulu stated.
HOW N10M WINNER WILL EMERGE FROM FIRSTBANK SPONSORED THE VOICE NIGERIA 3
…As The Voice Nigeria Season 3 Enters Final Stage.
By Bolaji Israel
UN1TY Limited and Livespot360, producers of the global talents reality series, have emphasised that public voting has become very crucial at this stage to keep vocalists fighting for the grand prize on The Voice Nigeria 3 series, sponsored by FirstBank, Baba Ijebu and Airtel.
To keep their favourite vocalists on the show, viewers have to dial *894*7*talent’s code#.
The voting code of your preferred contestant to win the competition is in the embedded Instagram post below:
The International talents reality series designed to discover and harness music talents in Nigeria is in its third season in Nigeria.
Scores of vocalists have performed on the highly competitive show but dropped out going through the Auditions, Blinds, Knockouts, Battles and Live Shows stages.
With an electrifying mix of pulsating musical performances, music training, glamorous fashion and life enriching entertainment, the The Voice Nigeria 3 continues to glitter to the very grand finale
Voting opens on Saturday at 9:00pm and closes at 11:59pm on Thursdays.
Lead show sponsor, FirstBank in a statement by its Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, reiterated that The Voice Nigeria 3 is a Reality TV show designed to discover and promote talented singers to actualise their dreams of becoming international stars which aligns with the Bank’s commitment to provide a platform for nurturing and showcasing talents and driving social cohesion.
Market formation framework, driver to optimally develop solid mineral sector- Sekibo
Sekibo
MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo has said that market formation framework is the key to optimally exploit Nigeria’s precious metal and solid minerals endowments.
He disclosed this during a webinar organised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development with the theme, “Financing the Solid Minerals Sector through the Capital Market and the Critical Role of Commodity Exchanges.”
Sekibo explained that a fully established market formation process that would lead to having a Corporation as an integrated solid mineral institution like NNPC which allows the collateralisation of assets those banks can rely on for alternative funding options.
According to him, this will guarantee other creative ways of raising funds for financing commercial activities relating to solid minerals and viable projects along its value chain.
Sekibo who was represented by the Divisional Head, Strategy and Business Solutions, of the Bank, Olusegun Akanji, said for the sector to be viable, it requires lots of converged government interventions because for any development focused sector to kick-off around the world, it needs government intervention to lay the foundation for the private sector and funders to step-in and pool their resources.
“Once, we can collateralise these assets, whether they are under the ground or being determined, you use different instruments to bring liquidity into them. Then investors will follow up once we have established there is enough they can explore.” the MD stated.
He further suggested that finance sector regulators need to expand its Prudential Guidelines to accommodate the instruments such that precious metal backed or solid minerals backed assets could qualify as part of the computation of liquidity ratios.
“Once banks start injecting their resources, customers would certainly follow that trend. You can start arranging for sophisticated solutions like bonds, bullion backed assets and pension notes. Again, banks will have to be poised to hold the funding that comes from this sector; that way, they can open new transactional frontiers either locally or internationally.
“At the base of this, are the issues of pricing and integrity of the market. Once banks play in that sector and we have a government institution like the NNPC type to hold all these documentations, it would be very easy to establish price discovery on an ongoing basis. This will in turn attract international funders, hedge funds and retail investors. Today, we have retail bonds in the same way; we can have gold backed or any of the solid mineral assets where retail investors can put in the funds,” Sekibo explained.
Meanwhile, it would be recalled that Heritage Bank Plc has said its involvement in the private sector collaboration with Dukia Gold & Precious Metals Refining Co. Limited is set to unlock the over N344 trillion market worth of gold investible instruments in the solid minerals sector.
However, he reiterated that consistent packaged framework, which could only be held by an established government institution, as part of the layers of framework, would help to tackle major challenges in trying to support Dukia Gold’s clients.
“With consistent packaged framework, it will be easier for Dukia Gold and help in less spending. If Dukia Gold should speak of their challenges, they will speak about tonnes of tonnes of documents they have to produce. But with a unified source of documentation, it makes the process easier and improves cost management. These are some of the challenges we have experienced in trying to support a few clients we worked with,” Sekibo stated.
Picture: Fidelity Bank MD’s Visit to Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Church
The Executive Management of Fidelity Bank Plc, led by Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe recently paid a courtesy visit on the General Overseer, Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Church, Pastor Lazarus Muoka. Specifically, the visit was to foster good working relationship with the Church and find ways of serving the church and its members better. The MD who was accompanied by the Executive Director, Lagos and South West, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Ken Opara were warmly received by Pastor Muoka and his wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Joy Muoka.
L-R: Executive Director, Lagos and South West, Fidelity Bank Plc. Dr. Ken Opara; Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali – Ikpe; General Overseer, Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Church, Pastor Lazarus Muoka; Wife of the General Overseer, Pastor (Mrs.) Joy Muoka during the courtesy visit paid by Management of Fidelity Bank to Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Church recently.
