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FIRSTBANK SUSTAINS POSITIVE IMPACT, WELCOMES BACK CUSTOMERS

FirstBank; Nigeria’s leading financial institution and Africa’s Bank of Choice has expressed its appreciation to the public – especially its customers – for their continued patronage of its services during the COVID 19 lockdown, whilst assuring the public that stringent measures have been implemented to ensure its branches and locations across the country operate in line with the health and safety guidelines issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

Expressing the Bank’s delight at welcoming customers to its branches and locations from Monday, 4 May 2020, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, the Bank’s CEO noted that these safety measures include ensuring personal protection, as wearing face masks is now mandatory; maintaining social distancing by reducing physical contact by at least one meter from the next person and queue guides and markings are in place to guide customers; as well as enhancing the practice of personal hygiene as hand washing stations and hand sanitisers have been provided.

Speaking on the impact made by the Bank across its sub-Saharan business Dr. Adeduntan said “We are glad that our investment in technology over the years has really borne fruit as many of our staff were able to work remotely during the lock down with effective IT support to hand. We were therefore able to actively support our customers, their families and businesses through these challenging times.

We ensured business continuity across eight countries – Nigeria, Ghana; Democratic Republic of Congo; Sierra-Leone; the Gambia, Guinea; Senegal and United Kingdom. We recognize that this has truly been a trying period and are poised to continue to provide as much support as we can to our customers and communities we operate in”.

Coming back home, the Bank’s Chief explained that during this period it proactively reviewed products and services to support customers better and expressed his appreciation to Nigerians for the whole hearted adoption and patronage of its electronic services, as these indeed demonstrated the trust which the public repose in the Bank and in return the Bank commits to always live by its resolve on being true to its mantra – You First.

He said “It is for this reason; putting our customers first, that our Bank working to regulatory, Federal and State Government directives worked assiduously to keep over 50 percent of our branches open across all nooks and crannies of the country.

At the same time the call centre was restaffed in the most efficient manner and retooled as we provided even more opportunities for our customers to reach us for their banking needs”.

He further provided a snapshot of transactions carried out across FirstBank’s e-banking channels during the five-week lockdown in various parts of the country:

We recorded approximately 12.6 million withdrawals amounting to about N156bn across our ATMs well placed across the country.
Nigerians with FirstBank cards used them 105 million times to make payments or withdrawals worth about N1.18 Trillion as they relied on us to settle their banking needs
Our customers made transfers over 106 million times with a total value of about N8.18 Trillion across our digital channels.
During this period, our 53,000 plus agents have processed over N512bn worth of transactions
We have also recorded over 275,000 new sign-ups to alternative channels covering our Firstmobile; USSD and First-Online platforms.

As one of the leading SME banks in the country, with a drive to ensure SMEs are supported, Dr. Adeduntan, also stated that FirstBank has enhanced palliatives such as introduction of special waivers on repayment fees on its credit cards, and a 90-day loan moratorium on selected products across markets, to help cushion the impact of the toll on employment and livelihoods.

Our Wholesale business was also not left out as advisory services and a range of financial needs were met to the delight of our Corporate and Commercial customers.

On community impact, the Bank partnered with other organisations in the private sector to collectively help those most impacted by this pandemic. It has contributed N1billion and several volunteer staff towards the efforts of the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) to meet the intervention objectives in the key areas of health; testing, provision of much needed health infrastructure, isolation units and raising public awareness and where needed providing food to the most vulnerable.

This is a time when we all must step up and do our bit by our people and our communities.

In addition FirstBank in keeping with its long standing tradition and focus on educational support and talent development has partnered with several organisations in a bid to help 1 million students access e learning.

“It is important in all this not to forget the children whose needs can so easily be overlooked at a time such as this”.

‘’ As the lock down is lifted nationwide, we will continue to provide seamless service to our customers ensuring the highest levels of support whilst operating as efficiently as possible, ensuring safety of all is paramount and empowering our staff to drive these goals. We will do these with three things in mind: ensuring you are staying safe; supporting your business; and safeguarding our future’’ Dr, Adeduntan said

Offerings is Necessary but not Compulsory – Prophet T.B. Joshua

Nigerian Pastor TB Joshua has revealed his position regarding asking for monetary offerings through his popular Christian television channel Emmanuel TV.

Although Joshua was not physically present during the broadcast of Sunday 3rd Mary 2020, his ministers responded to a question posed by a viewer about how the cleric raises funds as he is never heard preaching on the subject of tithes and offerings.

The cleric described giving offerings as “Scriptural” but emphasised that people should give as “God prompts their conscience”.

“They may not be many but people of conscience are giving – I mean, the right people are giving genuinely, for the salvation of their soul—and their giving is blessed of God,” he conceded.

“Wrong people have to be reminded many times before they can give because it is not from their heart,” he explained, clarifying that wrong people referred to “dubious” or “corrupt” individuals who “who got their money, their things from the wrong source.”

He elucidated that such people would give “to be seen, to be heard and to be praised here”, adding that if they later hit hard times, they would often write letters to the church reminding them of the money they had previously given.

He described that such people misguidedly felt their offerings were a form of “bargaining with God to get what they want” or a way of manipulating Him “to give approval to their selfish motives.”

“Giving is like serving. Both should be done with joy – without being reminded, because you don’t need to be reminded to do that which gives you joy,” he continued, adding that believers should ask for the Holy Spirit’s help in giving, receiving and asking.

“The force behind the money given determines the kind of money it is,” Joshua thoughtfully expanded. “When we inherit stolen wealth, we would live under a stolen future, thereby mortgaging our future. Remember, what comes from God goes to Him.”

The cleric stated he was “very careful” when it came to receiving offerings from congregants. “If I receive something from you, the source and the manner you give will determine whether it’s a blessing or a curse that I receive from you,” he posited.

Relating the question to the current situation in which churches have been shut worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic, Joshua explained such a period “demands conscience”.

“If you give something from your heart, it will bless you that gives it and also bless the person or ministry that receives it,” the cleric concluded in the interactive program, citing Apostle Paul’s admonishment in 2 Corinthians to give as “each one proposes in his heart, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver”.

Joshua has gained a reputation for not focusing on money during his sermons, asking for offerings during his broadcasts or selling merchandise during his large overseas crusades.

With nearly 1.7 million YouTube subscribers, he is also one of the platform’s largest users who doesn’t monetise his videos with the placement of third-party advertisements.

During the global lockdown, his ministry has engaged in extensive humanitarian programs, assisting vulnerable citizens most affected by the economic impact of the crisis in nations spanning Europe, Africa, South America and USA.

SOURCE: YouTube –

https://youtu.be/4Ozy5__EzS8

Unrepentant Philanthropist: Seyi Tinubu’s Noella Foundation Feeds Fasting Muslims

There are different types of givers, some only give when there is excess and in other to avoid wastage they will give it out to those in need, some gives once in a while out of what they have with the believe that God will repay them one way or the other, while some are compulsive givers, and these set gives almost every time not minding their own economy. It will be right to say Seyi Tinubu, the Executive Chairman of Loatsad Promomedia and his regular partner are in this category since their actions has distinguished them as ceaseless givers.

Ramadan is a special period for the Muslim faithful to fast, and this year’s process would have been bleak for many owning to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria that has led to government imposed lockdown to stop the spread of the disease, a situation that has led to the emergency shut-down of the country’s economy and this has exposed the needy in Lagos State to untold hardship in provision of food for families.

In other to reduce the burden and make sure the Ramadan is observed by families in the lower cadre of economy, Seyi and Layal Tinubu founded Noella Foundation decided to be providing free daily Iftar (Iftar is the evening meal with which Muslims end daily Ramadan fast at sunset) for Muslims at designated locations within the State. This is in addition to the COVID-19 Emergency FoodBox Initiative which is ongoing to give palliatives to those who are finding it difficult during the Corona Virus forced lockdown, where more than 600,000 meals has been given to more than 20,000 persons across the State.

The young, energetic and enterprising man who through the Noella Foundation has been working in partnership Bolajoko Fadipe owned Food Clique to feed and give food to poor people in the State during this trying times, is never short of the will power to give back to the society even when he’s not getting or expecting any physical benefit than the happiness of the people back in returns.

ZENITH BANK RECORDS IMPROVED GROSS EARNINGS OF N166.8 BILLION IN Q1 2020

Zenith Bank Plc has announced its unaudited results for the first quarter ended March 31 2020, with gross earnings rising by 6% from N158.1 billion in March 2019 to N166.8 billion.

From the unaudited statement of account which was presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, this top-line growth was driven by the 43% expansion in non-interest income from N32.7 billion in the prior-year period to N46.6 billion in March 2020.

The Bank’s profit before tax also rose 3% from N57.3 billion in the prior-year period to N58.8 billion in March 2020. The increased profits benefited from the twin effects of continuing top-line growth and focused cost-of-funds optimisation. Cost of funds declined significantly from 3.0% in March 2019 to 2.6% in the quarter, translating to a 10% decrease in interest expense dropping from N36.3 billion in March 2019 to N32.8 billion in the quarter. Despite this drop, the current low yield environment necessitated the repricing of interest-bearing assets which in turn resulted in a 13% compression in net interest margin, decreasing from 8.9% in March 2019 to 7.7% in the current period.

Zenith Bank has continued to gain customer acceptance, with customer deposits increasing by 5% from N4.26 trillion in December 2019 to N4.46 trillion in Q1 2020. The Bank’s customer deposit mix rebalancing remains on-track as the Group added N150 billion in savings account balances in Q1 2020, supported by its retail drive. The Bank’s total assets increased by 12% growing from N6.35 trillion in December 2019 to close at N7.13 trillion in Q1 2020. Gross loans grew by 11% from N2.46 trillion in December 2019 to N2.74 trillion in Q1 2020.

Zenith Bank continues to surpass the expectations of its shareholders with its track record of superlative performances. In recognition of this, the Bank was voted as the Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria 2019 by the World Finance and the Best Digital Bank in Nigeria 2019 by Agusto and Co. The Bank was also recognised as Bank of the Year and Best in Retail Banking at the 2019 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards. Recently, the Bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria, for the third consecutive year, in the Banker Magazine “Top 500 Banking Brands 2020”, Best Bank in Nigeria 2020 in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards 2020, and Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020.

Abba Kyari’s Death: Oba Akinruntan Pen Letter of Condolence to President Buhari

Oba Dr. Frederick Obateru Akinrutan, (Okoro Ajiga 1), the paramount ruler and prescribed authority, the Olugbo of Ugbo Land has sent his condolence message to President Buhari, over the death of his Chief of Staff; Mallam Abba Kyari who was buried last week.

In the condolence letter, on behalf of the good people of Ugbo kingdom, Ilaje, Ondo State, Kabiyesi extolled the life and times of the deceased; stating he is an asset that will be greatly missed in the President Buhari’s administration. He further sent condolence to the immediate family of the deceased as he prayed for Allah’s guidance and fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

Find copy of letter below;

UK-Based Nollywood Actress, Princess Elizabeth Onanuga talks on Covid-19

UK-Based Nollywood Actress, Princess Elizabeth Onanuga has for the first time made her opinion about Covid-19 known. She made this revelation in an interview session via social media by this publication. She talked on what she feels about the virus, her contributions so far and urged the Nigerian government to remember the citizens. Excerpts:

How would you describe this season?

It’s a very tough season for everyone, nothing is working anywhere in the world, literally, the world is on total lockdown due to the sudden pandemic that struck the world. It’s a very ugly situation because people find it hard to survive, for over a month, organizations have shut down, it’s really crazy.

How has it affected you?

Of a truth, Covid-19 has affected everyone, as an actress, I had planned to release my recent movie titled ‘Too Much’. We have the posters everywhere on the internet, on newspapers before the covid-19 issue came in but since then, I have not been able to do a lot. Apart from that, I’m a business person in the United Kingdom, I haven’t been able to go to work, because of the fear of this deadly virus.

In the United Kingdom, what efforts are the government making to support the needy?

The government here is doing fantastic, the government has given out food items, cash, other palliative packages to the citizens who can’t feed this season, they have been awesome. I wish the government of Nigeria can emulate this kind of gesture, it will really go a long way.

How would you say celebrities like you have contributed to Nigerians at this period?

Personally, I have done the little I can do, because I am not in Nigeria at the moment, there is a limit to what I can do but notwithstanding, I have distributed food items to the old ones in some parts of Nigeria. Other celebrities have done giveaways to people too, I can say celebrities have done very well in that aspect.

What Advice do you have for Nigerians?

I will advice Nigerians not to mind the conspiracy theories flying around but they should ensure they follow the necessary measures that the NCDC have set. They should maintain social distance, wash their hands regularly, make use of face-masks, take lemon and ginger, above all, pray.

Heritage Bank joins WHO to advocate elimination of Malaria endemic by 2030

Heritage Bank Plc has joined the world to commemorate the 2020 World Malaria Day, amid fears that paying much emphasis on the novel Coronavirus Pandemic could reinforce progress on the mosquito-borne disease, especially in Africa.

The theme of the World Malaria Day 2020, is entitled, “Zero Malaria Starts with Me,” which is a grassroots campaign, first launched in Senegal in 2014.

In canvassing for fight against the malaria scourge and calling on all stakeholders to take proactive action in renewing their focus on eliminating malaria by 2030 as targeted by World Health Organisation, the MD/CEO of the bank, Ifie Sekibo said that zero malaria starts with every one of us working together for a more prosperous and healthy future for all.

This call is coming against the backdrop of the global rise in malaria cases with the recent warning by WHO that the number of deaths caused by malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa could double to 769,000 this year, as efforts to curb the disease are disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to WHO, in 2018, there were 213 million malaria cases and 360,000 related deaths in the African region, accounting for over 90 per cent of global cases. The WHO said if the focus on slowing the spread of the new virus leads to a reduction by three quarters of access to anti-malaria medicines, deaths could double to 769,000.

“Countries across the region have a critical window of opportunity to minimise disruptions in malaria prevention and treatment and save lives at this stage of the COVID-19 outbreak,” the WHO said in a statement. It further alarmed that the doubling of the number of deaths represents the worst case scenario, which also assumes the suspension of all distribution of treated mosquito nets due to the pandemic.

However, Sekibo stated that malaria in Nigeria and Africa as a whole has been an unceasing prevalence and dilemma for communities, posing a challenge that has made eradication seem almost impossible.

In his call for collaboration to eliminate the disease in various society, Sekibo emphasized that to attain the global targets on malaria and the goals of Nigeria’s national malaria tactical plan would only be feasible through greater investment and expanded coverage of core tools to prevent, diagnose and treat malaria.

Sekibo stated that as part of the bank drive to support the fight against malaria, Heritage Bank proposes to focus on how malaria makes people susceptible to the present pandemic (COVID-19) in the world, whilst sensitizating the public on its social media platforms on COVID-19 as it relates to malaria. He further hinted that the overly concerns of exposure to COVID-19, as malaria and the virus have some symptoms in common which includes fever, headache and body pain, hence measures normally taken for malaria interventions have been suspended, which leaves vulnerable population (pregnant women and children) at a greater risk of contracting it. Sekibo stressed that early detection of malaria and proper management will reduce the mortality risk associated with COVID-19, whilst noting that community sensitization and mobilization around the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of malaria is of great importance.

First Bank of Nigeria Plc Public Statement on Kano State

FirstBank mourns as we confirm the loss of our staff, Abdullahi Lawal who until his passing worked at our Kano Main Branch.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time as we do all that is necessary to support them. We ask that all necessary courtesies be extended to the family so they can grieve privately.

As a responsible corporate organization, FirstBank has been at the fore-front of the concerted efforts against the coronavirus pandemic alongside others.

We have robust protocols in place including practicing social distancing, frequently disinfecting our buildings and locations even whilst ensuring services are available through our alternative channels such as our ATMs and other digital platforms.

We have immediately therefore, shut down access to the premises as we disinfect the entire location and ask all staff and customers who may have been in contact with our late colleague to follow the NCDC guidelines and self-isolate. We will, as a matter of course, extend all possible support to staff and customers at this difficult time.

Our thoughts are with the family he left behind and indeed with the wider FirstBank family who mourn this loss deeply at this time.

We remain committed to protecting the health and safety of all staff, customers and host communities, as together the fight against coronavirus will be won.

Signed:

Folake Ani-Mumuney

Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications

FirstBank

ERUKUCITY BORN SUPER COP, CSP TOYIN AFOLAOGUN DECLARE WAR ON HOODLUMS IN OGUN STATE

The Ogun State Police Task Force on Illegality, OSTI now has in custody, four hoodlums who terrorised the Mangoro Area of Oke-Ata in Abeokuta, the State Capital, Thursday afternoon.

The Task Force, led by CSP Toyin Afolaogun, received distress calls from residents and immediately moved into action.

On arrival at the scene, officers of the team together with residents of the community arrested the four hoodlums. The residents had earlier mobilised themselves to tackle the menace.

Those suspects arrested are now in the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.

Rest assured, the Ogun State Government will continue to ensure that there is adequate security of lives and property across the State.

FIRSTBANK STAYS AHEAD OF COVID-19, KEEPS FAITH WITH CUSTOMERS

Amid shuttering of social activities especially commercial services, through various lockdown measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic, FirstBank has proven that as long as its customers require services, the Bank will be waiting right in front of them.

As key enablers of the economy, banks are providers of essential services to customers and communities.

Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, CEO FirsBank Nig. Plc

Sequel to the pandemic outbreak, the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria obtained Presidential approval to permit critical financial services to function during this period.

CBN further urged the general public to limit their use of cash and avail themselves of alternative payment channels such as mobile banking, internet banking, mobile money, Point of Sale (POS), and USSD banking; assuring that financial institutions will remain operational during this period and therefore people should guard against panic withdrawals from their banks.

The assumption that banks will be able to deliver services during this period, was no doubt predicated on the fact that institutions like FirstBank already had a fully functional digital infrastructure, to serve its customers through electronic channels.

In a statement to customers, FirsBank’s CEO Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, categorically made this promise to them: “COVID-19 will not slow us down”.

“These are unprecedented times,” acknowledges Adeduntan “We therefore promise that now more than ever we will remain steadfast, showing up for all Nigerians; we would always be there for you.

“As I reflect on the last two weeks, I am comforted by the resilience of our people. I look back at our commitment and contribution to keeping commerce going and enabling businesses.”

These reassuring words of Dr. Adeduntan, do not go without tangible proofs of the bank’s unrelenting efforts to stay ahead of the situation many customers feared would cripple banking transactions and further exacerbate the pains brought on by the pandemic.

Indeed, since the enforcement of the lockdown measure, regular and unique ancillary services continue to be seamlessly delivered by FirstBank.

The impressive achievements of FirstBank in service delivery, during this unexpected disruption to lives and businesses on a global scale, has been nothing short of the extraordinary.

Or how would you explain over 53,000 agents bringing banking services right to your doorsteps, processing over 5 million transactions with different and large monetary values in the week preceding 10 April.

How about an approximate 2.5 million withdrawals amounting to N35billion across FirstBank’s ATMS in a single week?

On record, FirstBank’s larger corporate customers have done over 1,700 transactions successfully on the bank’s e-bills platform worth N6.8billion during this challenging period.

Nigerians with FirstBank cards have used them 21 million times for payments or withdrawals, worth N268 million.

Customers have made transfers over 10 million times with a total value of about N615billion naira across FirstBank’s digital channels all in one week.

How does a bank get all these done under the prevalent lockdown and disruption of regular routine?

“Expertise and resilience are in our DNA,” explains the Bank’s CEO, “we are working tirelessly to ensure that your banking transactions continue seamlessly and will remain so; COVID-19 will neither slow us down nor defeat us.

We are holding up our side, and now more than ever we will uphold our promise to you to be here for you and put You First.”

Indeed, the capability of banks to render uninterrupted digital services and investment advisory across many channels, especially during a crisis, projects economic stability.

More than ever before, the importance of the services banks provide to individuals and communities extends beyond commercial interests, especially now that cash withdrawals far outstrip deposits.

As an unprecedented challenge to financial institutions like banks, the current coronavirus pandemic serves as a litmus test for them to prove their role as systemic stabilizers, delivering services at least in part for social good.

As the crisis lingers with no end in sight, FirstBank staff remarkably are in place to attend to customers’ needs, in spite of the social distancing measure.

The bank continues to maintain all pre-existing channels of communication including receiving emails through its firstcontact@firstbanknigeria. com address and urging customers to contact their Relationship Managers or Private Bankers for banking services guidance and advisory.

Despite the extra efforts banks may put into rendering uninterrupted services in times like this, they are doing nothing more, than to meet the expectations of customers and maintain economic stability.

From a tactical level, financial institutions like banks can do a lot to reduce consumer and business stress, because as deposit gatherers, credit grantors, and payment facilitators, banks play a vital role in the functioning of the economy.

However, delivering solutions tailored to each individual customer at this critical time, also engenders trust and brand loyalty.

“We recognize our role in keeping the engine going, keeping society going and recognize further, it is our responsibility to remain at the forefront of this; true to our name and in keeping with the incontrovertible fact that we are fully woven into the fabric of society. Our unparalleled network and total coverage of this nation serve us all well at this time ensuring service across the country via our safe, user friendly and convenient alternative channels are available for you 24/7,” says Adeduntan.

While Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, large portions of the economy are in the informal sector and depend constantly on cash movement.

As the financial consequences mainly for MSMES become more serious due to paucity of inflows, (some major players in the economy – oil, aviation and tourism too are not spared) people will expect their banks to look out for them and protect them from imminent financial catastrophe.

Indeed, bank clients would like to see the pandemic brought under containment as soon as possible, in order to resume work and commercial activities. For them, a stable and reliable financial partner like FirstBank that has shown resilience and reliability would be an institution that can be leveraged on, to get business back on track and rolling as fast as possible, once this is over.

Adeduntan in concluding his statement says to the bank’s customers: “Rest assured that we are in this together, and together we will emerge stronger at the end of this period because this too shall pass. We have all it takes; your support, patronage and trust. We will always put You First”.