The parent company of one of Africa’s biggest financial institutions, Ecobank Group, Lome (ETI) Ecobank Transnational Incorporated has announced two new board appointments in persons of Dr. Georges Agyekum Nana Donkor and Mrs. Zanele Monnakgotla.
According to a release signed by Adenike Laoye, the bank’s Group Head, Corporate Communications,
Dr. Georges Agyekum Nana Donkor, a Lawyer, Banker and Marketing Consultant with over twenty-five years experience in Senior Management Capacities in several fields which are Finance, Strategic management, Marketing, Law, Compliance and Administration replaced Mr. Bashir Mamman Ifo as a Non Executive Director and representative of Ecowas Bank for Investment and Development (EBID). He also became EBID’s president after Mr.Bashir Mamman Ifo’s retirement.
Another Board appointment made was that of a Non-Executive Director and Nominee of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) of South Africa in the person of Mrs. Zanele Monnakgotla. She has over 20 years experience spanning across the public and private sector. Her core is Structured Finance and Strategy. She replaced Dr. Matjila, Chief Executive Officer of PIC.
Speaking on the change of Board of Directors, ETI’s Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh appreciated Mr. Bashir Ifo, former Ecowas Bank for Investment and Development representative and Dr. Matjila, erstwhile CEO of PIC for their hardwork and contributions to Ecobank group.
The ETI (Ecobank Transnational Incorporated) is listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in Lagos, it is also listed in Ghana Stock Exchange in Accra and it is listed in the Bourse Regionale des Valeurs Mobilieres in Abidjan.
The Ecobank group must also be commended for its contributions to the work force in Africa by employing over 15,000 people and meeting the needs of over 20,000 customers, and its amazing services towards improving banking on the continent which includes bank and deposit accounts, loans to aid businesses, cash management, advisory, trade, securities, wealth and asset management.
We, as a continent feel honoured to have ETI and Ecobank group on our shores and we encourage them to keep up the good work in providing good banking solutions in Africa.
Zenith Bank Plc, on Monday, March 16, 2020 held its 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja, Nigeria, during which the Bank’s shareholders unanimously approved the proposed final dividend of N2.50 per share, bringing the total dividend payment for the 2019 financial year to N2.80 per share with a total value of N87.9 billion. This followed the recent release of the Bank’s audited financial results for the 2019 financial year.
According to the Chairman of the Board, Mr Jim Ovia (CON), the AGM was an opportunity for the bank to engage shareholders on its 2019 financial year performance. In his statement, Mr Jim Ovia said “Zenith Bank is committed to consistently deliver superior returns to our highly esteemed shareholders by ensuring that a good chunk of our profit is set aside for you. In a clear demonstration of this, we had declared and paid you an interim dividend of 30kobo per share in the course of the 2019 financial year. We hereby propose a final dividend of N2.50kobo per share. If approved, this will bring the total dividend for the year ended December 31, 2019, to N2.80kobo per share”.
Zenith Bank reaffirmed its leading position in the Nigerian banking industry posting an impressive Profit Before Tax (PBT) of N243bn, representing a 5 per cent increase over the N231.6bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2018. Profit after Tax (PAT) stood at N208.8bn over N193bn, an increase of 8 per cent, thus making Zenith Bank the first Nigerian bank to cross the 200billion Naira mark.
The bank’s result showed an increase in gross earnings from N662bn to N630bn, indicating dominance in market share, while its assets grew by 5 per cent from the N5.9 trillion to N6.3 trillion, a growth driven by the 29% increase in non-interest income from N179.9 billion in 2018 to N231.1 billion in 2019. The Bank’s fees on electronic products continue to grow significantly with a 108% Year-on-Year (YoY) from N20.4 billion in 2018 to N42.5 billion in 2019.
The drive for cheaper retail deposits coupled with the low-interest yield environment helped reduce the cost of funding from 3.1% to 3.0%. However, this also affected net interest margin, which reduced from 8.9% to 8.2% in the current year due to re-pricing of interest-bearing assets. Although returns on equity and assets held steady YoY at 23.8% and 3.4% respectively, the Group still delivered an improved Earnings per Share (EPS) which grew 8% from N6.15 to N6.65 in the current year.
The Group created new viable risk assets as gross loans grew by 22% from N2.016 trillion to N2.462 trillion. This was executed prudently at a low cost of risk of 1.1% and a significant reduction in the non-performing loan ratio from 4.98% to 4.30%. Prudential ratios such as liquidity and capital adequacy ratios also remained above regulatory thresholds at 57.3% and 22.0% respectively.
Financial analysts noted this unprecedented feat by a Nigerian Bank as remarkable, and an indication of strong financial leadership and resilience.
As a testament to this superlative performance, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria, for the third consecutive year, in the recently released Banker Magazine “Top 500 Banking Brands 2020”, the Best Bank in Nigeria 2020 in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards 2020 and the Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the Thisday Awards 2020. In addition, the Bank was also voted as the Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria 2019 by the World Finance and the Best Digital Bank in Nigeria 2019 by Agusto & Co.
Chairman, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Jim Ovia (Centre) flanked by the Group Managing Director/ CEO, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu (Left) and the Deputy Managing Director, Dr. Adaora Umeoji (Right) at the 29th Annual General Meeting of the bank held at the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre, Abuja on Monday, March 16, 2020
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo on Monday commiserated with traders and others victims of Sunday’s tragic explosion in Abule Ado, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State. Accompanied by other Executive Management staff, Okonkwo who visited the affected market areas was received by the leaders of the Balogun Business Association (BBA), Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) and Association of Progressive Traders (APT). He prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died in the explosion and disclosed the bank’s readiness to make some token contributions to members of the traders’ associations whose shops and properties were destroyed. “We thought to come this morning to commiserate with you and see first-hand the damages caused by effects of the explosions” said Okonkwo.
Responding, the market leaders thanked the bank for the gesture, noting that Fidelity Bank has been a true supporter and remains the most responsive of all financial institutions in the market. “Fidelity is not the only bank in this market. Coming here barely 24 hours after this incidence and offering financial support in addition, is quite commendable. We are still evaluating the extent of damages and the number of our members affected” said President BBA, Chief Anthony Obih.
The Presidents of ASPAMDA and APT also expressed gratitude to Fidelity Bank. “You have indeed demonstrated to us that we are indeed partners. We will reciprocate this kindness and will continue to do everything within our powers to support the bank” stated President ASPAMDA, Chief Daniel Oforkansi. On his part the APT Market Association President Chief Eric Ilechukwu called on other corporate entities to emulate Fidelity Bank saying “it is people and organizations like you that we want. If others are like you, things will be better for it”.
Several residential and commercial buildings as well as cars were destroyed in the explosion that rocked Abule Ado to its core. The resulting fire, from the explosion, later spread to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) oil pipeline passing through the area, although the pipeline was shut down as a precautionary measure. The explosion caused widespread panic among Lagos residents after it shook many houses in Ijegun, Festac Town and other communities outside Amuwo Odofin.
L-R: Ezenwa Oguadinma, Treasurer, Balogun Business Association (BBA); Nnamdi Okonkwo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc; Tony Obih, President, BBA; Emeka Igbosupolu, Vice President, BBA during the visit to the markets at BBA, ASPAMDA and APT to commiserate with the victims of the Lagos explosion on MondayL-R: Eric Ilechukwu, President, Association of Progressive Traders (APT); Nnamdi Okonkwo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc; Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Executive Director, Lagos & South-West, Fidelity Bank Plc and Daniel Oforkansi, President, Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA), during the visit to the markets to commiserate with the victims of the Lagos explosion on Monday.
…Emerges Lead Settlement Bank, Transaction Adviser
The Nigerian agricultural sector is set to witness a huge growth, as Heritage Bank Plc the lead settlement bank for Gezawa Commodity Market (GCMX) has collaborated with key stakeholders to revolutionise agricultural value-chain, aimed at providing fully integrated ecosystem for commodity Exchange.
Heritage Bank was appointed as the Lead Settlement Bank and Transaction Adviser to the Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Ltd and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two firms, whilst over 10, 000 farmers in 3000 cooperatives in the 44 local governments of Kano States were hosted.
The partnership between Heritage Bank and the Exchange would facilitate the ease of agro commodity trading in a more structured way, especially with the closeness to the Dawanu, the largest grain market in Africa.
The MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo, who was a panelist at the 2nd GCMX Farmers’ Cooperative Forum in Kano at the weekend, stated that the partnership is targeted to de-risk the sector that would bring about structured and enhanced agro-business and attain food security that leads to economic development.
Sekibo, who was represented by the Executive Director, Jude Monye explained that the partnership which would help bridge the huge gap associated to risk, will fast track effective price discovery mechanism and traceability and enhanced trade settlement services.
Specifically, the bank’s helmsman stated that under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) and the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), Heritage Bank would provide on-lending funding to aggregated farmers in the 2020 farming season to grow various products that will serve as raw materials to the processors, thereby ensuring market linkages and access to the market as well as reduce importation and conserve Nigeria’s external reserves.
According to him, with its assigned position Heritage Bank would play a pivotal role in ensuring that there would be an effective and readily available platform for market linkages among players in the agribusiness value chain, involving FMCGs, warehouse operators, collateral managers, processors, farmers’ cooperatives to transact in a seamless way that guarantee quality, quantity, payment and delivery.
Speaking the event, the ED/CEO of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Segun Awolowo affirmed that the initiative would help foster diversification of non-oil export trade.
He, however, stated that NEPC would ensure that the primary for the signing of the MoU would be achieve, whilst calling for the need to ensure adequate and seamless supply of agricultural commodities for the business to be sustainable.
The Gezawa Project Consultant, Binchang Binfa, Managing Director of Makarios Global Resource, disclosed, “the ultimate goal was to unlock the vast potential of agricultural value chain via partnerships and synergy with likeminded enterprises, organisations and institutions that will mutually create wealth, generate local employment and contribute significantly to the economic growth and GDP the nation.”
He stated that the Exchange would provide services on price discovery and transparency, increase foreign exchange earning capacity, commodity storage and warehouse receipt system, employment generation of 15, 000 direct and indirect jobs, investment opportunities, increase in non-oil export, ease of doing business, weather report, soil test report, as well as 24/7 online trading of commodities on alive trading platform.
L-R: Ibrahim Muhammad-Fari, Cluster Head/Experience Centre Manager, North Zone, Heritage Bank; Ahmad Isa-Dutse, Regional Head, North-East & North-West, Heritage Bank; Jude Monye, Executive Director, Heritage Bank; Binchang Binfa, MD, Makarios Global Resources Ltd and Project Consultant to Gezawa Commodity Market & Exchange Limited; Haj. Bilkisu Aliyu, Head of Operations – Project Implementation, Gezawa Commodity Market & Exchange Limited and Adelana Ogunjirin, Team Lead, Agric. Finance & Export, Heritage Bank, during the Heritage Bank signing of MoU, as the Lead Settlement Bank and Transaction Adviser to the Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Ltd, in Kano, at the weekend.L-R: Alh. Faruk Rabiu Mudi, Panalist; Alh. Abdullahi Sidi-Aliyu, Director Export Development & Incentives, NEPC; Jude Monye, Executive Director, Heritage Bank; Alh. Kabiru Mohammed, MD, Bank of Agriculture; Prof. Abdu Yaro Kust, representative of the VC, Kano State University of Science & Technology and Alh. Isyaku Mohammed, Business Executive, Commercial Banking, North, Representative of MD, Sterling Bank, panelists at the 2nd GCMX Farmers’ Cooperative Forum in Kano, where Heritage Bank signed an MoU as the Lead Settlement Bank and Transaction Adviser to the Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Ltd, at the weekend.
First Bank of Nigeria Limited is taking steps to ensure that women and women-led businesses are empowered. The bank has, through its FirstGem; FirstMonie and First Women Network empowered and brought several unbanked women into the financial system. This it proved during this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration, writes COLLINS NWEZE.
Empowering women through improved access to finance and social support are crucial in achieving the desired growth for the economy. This is the belief of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, even as it maintained that investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth.
It acknowledges the enormous contributions made by women, whether as business women, farmers, entrepreneurs or employees, or by doing unpaid care work at home.
This it demonstrated during this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), a worldwide event that celebrates women’s achievements – from the political to the social. It is also a day that stakeholders in Nigeria and in the Diaspora canvassed gender equality in society and workplace.
The event brings together governments, women’s organisations, corporations and charities for purposes of development and inclusion.
According to the World Bank, women empowerment is the process that creates power in individuals over their own lives, society and in their communities.
Women’s empowerment is all about equipping and allowing them to make life-determining decisions through the different problems in society.
Also, empowering women by granting them access to vast opportunities and information will not only lead to personal development for them but also the development of the communities and societies they operate in.
First Bank is, therefore, supporting women’s economic empowerment through FirstGem, which gives them economic voice and bring many unbanked women to the financial system.
The bank has advanced N58 billion loans to over 81,000 women-led businesses and interests. Besides, 44,356 women (corporate and individual, including members of staff of the bank) currently own and operate the FirstGem account with a seating balance of N2.4 billion.
Also, the Agent Banking platform – which the bank leads in the industry – has promoted not just the financial inclusion of women but also independence as there are many women among its Agent Banking. Data showed that there are 38,185 male banking agents, and 11,762 female banking agents.
First Bank Managing Director/CEO Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, said women-led businesses constitute a large part of the banks’ balance sheets and stream of income, even as he added that the bank will continue to give priority to issues that affect women.
He said the bank is also in tune with the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBP) which requires that companies promote gender equality in workplace.
To support the NSBP project and give women voice in the workplace, FirstBank boss said women remain some of the best workforces and always make great impact in establishments.
FirstBank believes that women needed to be economically empowered. Unless social concerns such as gender disparity and women economic empowerment are addressed, economic and environmental goals and overall sustainable development will be difficult to achieve.
Adeduntan said the introduction of FirstGem, a female-focused product by the bank has contributed to the development of the Nigerian economy.
Speaking at the FirstGem third anniversary conference held in Lagos, the bank chief said he was delighted that FirstGem is promoting savings culture, financial literacy, loan management, wealth creation and healthy lifestyle for women.
Adeduntan said the product has a wide array of advisory, health and current awareness services for the discerning woman.
He said: “On October 28, 2016 we launched this women-centric account, designed specifically to meet the financial needs of both corporate and entrepreneurial women. This product, apart from being an account dedicated solely to women, is lifestyle-enhancing.
“It provides a total lifestyle support for discerning women to enable them to meet their economic needs and aspirations. It goes without saying that economic stability does impact overall stability of individuals, institutions, communities and nations.
“With FirstGem, therefore, our long-term focus is on national economic development. I believe that with the indices we have so far, FirstGem is on the right performance track.”
In sports, the Female Basketball team, Elephant Girls, have, over the years, dominated the Women Basketball League of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, representing Nigeria in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Africa Women’s Champions.
According to FirstBank, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CR&S) involves meeting the needs of our stakeholders now and in the future. Our CR&S approach is three-pronged: citizenship, stakeholder management and impact management.
“Citizenship and stakeholder management involves putting into consideration the needs of stakeholders in making decisions, while impact management is basically about minimising our negative impacts and increasing our positive impacts on society.
“FirstBank prides itself in being an equal opportunity employer and have integrated diversity and inclusion policies and awareness into its practices.
The bank said its efforts at engendering diversity in the workplace include having in place a policy that encourages inclusion. The group’s diversity and inclusion objective is to be a recognised industry leader in workforce diversity and leverage diversity for the growth of the group and the success of the customers and communities we serve. We have a male: female ratio of 61:39 across the workforce,” he said.
Also, the bank’s Board and Senior Management Teams have consistently supported women development by deliberately designing a dedicated platform called FirstGem to drive financial inclusion and all-round development of women.
The bank’s CR&S approach is designed to deliver value in a structured way in the areas of education, health and welfare; financial inclusion; responsible lending and procurement.
Inclusivity ties in with our people empowerment goal which includes improving the lives of our stakeholders through the bank’s agenda of nation-building by empowering women and girls to access the opportunities and societal benefits to grow and advance societal and economic benefits. The bank is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion through our products, services and programmes.
Advancing the FirstGem vision
FirstBank explained that in recognition of the impact of women’s contribution to economic development, the bank is steadily advancing the vision of FirstGem through active and value-adding participation in many women empowerment programmes, international conferences, seminars, workshops, and roadshows across different cities and states of Nigeria over the past couple of years.
It revealed that at the forefront of these engagements is the Chairman of Board of Directors of the Bank who happens to be a female.
It said the bank is committed to maintaining a positive work environment and to conducting business in a positive, professional manner by consistently ensuring equal employment opportunity.
FirstBank Women Network is aimed at addressing the gender gap at the senior levels and taps the opportunities presented by enabling our women to contribute even more if given the necessary strategic support and an enabling environment. This includes providing a platform that enables women to become more engaged in their workplace, set and achieve goals, have greater influence in their lives and achieve more of their potential.
The initiative was launched with the International Women’s day (IWD) celebration that held on March 8, 2018 with the theme #PressforProgress.
Also, the First Women Network is built around six pillars which are influence career pipeline, networking opportunities, grooming, etiquette and poise, mentoring, coaching and sponsorship opportunities, counselling, support and welfare, financial planning and empowerment.
Coaching/mentoring scheme
FirstBank has a coaching and mentoring scheme dedicated to female members of staff in the bank. This is to enable older female members of staff to handhold and coach the younger ones with reference to their experience as they climbed the career ladder.
For her, the types and number of products and services available to women include the facilities and polices provided to support gender diversity in the work place, among others.
Also, 2,708 female employees have special opportunities as nursing mothers: The Bank recognises that pregnancy and childbirth may take its toll on the women.
In addition to the three months’ maternity leave with pay, our practice allows for nursing mothers to resume two hours later than the normal resumption period, or close two hours earlier than the normal closing hours. This is applicable for the first three months after resumption from maternity.
All these have made the bank winner of the Nigeria Sustainable Banking Awards on Women Empowerment Category, which is driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria, among other laurels.
From left: Mr. Soji Apampa, CEO, Convention & Business Integrity; Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, First Lady of Ogun State; Ibukun Awosika, Chairman FirstBank; Dr. Zainab Shinkafi A. Bagudu, First Lady of Kebbi State; Prof. Mefta Kandarp, Senior Lecturer, IESE, Business School Barcelona at the FirstGem third year anniversary conference held in Lagos last year.
On 28th December 2019, TB Joshua released his prophetic message for 2020 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6aJLBVG96c). He said, “This year will be a year of humility. This year, the Lord will humble us with our challenges. Challenges can be affliction, disease, sickness etc. To humble us with these is for those things to destroy us or expose us. Let us move closer to God.”
The same message said regarding the world economy: “Agriculture will help the economy because the economy will have a backlash….”
Specifically, concerning America, he said: “America should invest more in agriculture because their economy will be affected. The economy they see today will be affected, so they should invest in agriculture and encourage the farmers.”
The prophecy was given in parables, with the wisdom of God. What is affecting
This is an official message from The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) regarding US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a travel ban on visitors from European countries to America over the coronavirus outbreak.
On 28th December 2019, TB Joshua released his prophetic message for 2020 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6aJLBVG96c). He said, “This year will be a year of humility. This year, the Lord will humble us with our challenges. Challenges can be affliction, disease, sickness etc. To humble us with these is for those things to destroy us or expose us. Let us move closer to God.”
The same message said regarding the world economy: “Agriculture will help the economy because the economy will have a backlash….”
Specifically, concerning America, he said: “America should invest more in agriculture because their economy will be affected. The economy they see today will be affected, so they should invest in agriculture and encourage the farmers.”
The prophecy was given in parables, with the wisdom of God. What is affecting the economy today? COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
The same message said, “Many sicknesses and diseases that leaders have been treating privately will surface this year.”
According to the US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, China had this issue for several months and had been treating it silently. He said, “Unfortunately, rather than using best practices, this outbreak in Wuhan was covered up…. This probably cost the world community two months to respond.” Today, it has surfaced – as TB Joshua predicted.
The prophecy continued, “They will become bedridden and many will not make it.” Indeed, this is exactly what is happening.
The same prophecy said, “Pray for unity and understanding among the British Royal Family – because of what I am seeing.” Days later, Prince Harry announced he was stepping down from his duties in the Royal Family.
The same man – TB Joshua – is hereby telling President Donald Trump: “This travel ban on flights from Europe will cause a backlash. It will affect the American economy the more and also the world economy. It will also affect the forthcoming election in America – in one way or another. The travel ban is not the best way to stop the spread of coronavirus. The initial measures America put in place are the best way – they just need to be reinforced. Corona-virus is fear and fear lingers in the air. Fear does not need to fly to America or any other country on a plane before being contracted. In conclusion, we are on our knees praying.”
The General Overseer of Champions Royal Assembly, Prophet Joshua Iginla is set to storm the city of Lagos with a two-day power packed crusade.
This crusade, which will be the first of its kind is tagged Swimming in Greatness and is said to be coming up on April 21st to April 22nd, 2020 at Yard 158, plot 54 Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Lagos.
Prophet Joshua Iginla is one prophet who is known for his unique utterances, accurate prophecies, healing ministry, hence, this crusade won’t be short of any of this.
L-R: CEO, Linda Ikeji TV, Linda Ikeji; Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, Founder / CEO, House of Tara International, Tara Fela- Durotoye at “Giving her Wings”; a platform to mentor, build and connect young women entrepreneurs, organised by the Bank in Lagos Friday.Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo; Founder / CEO, House of Tara International, Tara Fela-Durotoye; CEO, Linda Ikeji TV, Linda Ikeji at “Giving her Wings”; a platform to mentor, build and connect young women entrepreneurs, organised by the Bank in Lagos Friday.CEO, Bubez Foods, Ijeoma Ndukwe; Founder / CEO, House of Tara International, Tara Fela-Durotoye; Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo; CEO, Linda Ikeji TV, Linda Ikeji, at “Giving her Wings”; a platform to mentor, build and connect young women entrepreneurs, organised by the Bank in Lagos Friday.
Harvey Mackay, an American businessman, author and syndicated columnist with Universal Uclick once said “A smart manager will establish a culture of gratitude.” This was the order of the day during the 27th Convocation and Award Dinner organized by the management of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu, recently in Lagos at the Airport Hotels Ikeja Banquet Hall.
The event which serves as non-student award night as well as the school 10th Rector Professor Samuel Olayinka Sogunro’s last convocation was ordinarily meant to confer Honorary fellowship awards on some outstanding individuals with Aare Afe Babalola (founder Afe Babalola University) and Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa (Chairman, Lagos state Local government service commission) to be this edition’s recipients. It was also meant to be a gathering away from the school premises by the staffs to dine and wine while the management will appreciate a few of the staffs.
It was a carefully planned event which was meant to give surprise awards to some staffs who are kept in the dark about the planned award, the cat was however let out by the rector when he was delivering his speech. The Rector explained in details the reason behind the award and how the winners were chosen.
In his words Professor Sogunro said “The 11th Governing Council of the Polytechnic approved that excellent performance must be recognized and awarded to stimulate continuous excellent output. So, a ‘Productivity Committee’ to determine winners across schools/faculty, departments and units was set-up. Selflessness, creativity, innovation, focus, results and others like that are the major criteria used in selection”, he concluded.
There are two categories of awards which are; Productivity and Excellence. Mr. Steven Adesemoye of the Mass Communications Department was awarded the overall best as the Most Outstanding Staff of the year. The award reads for his contributions towards the overall development of the Polytechnic.
In his remarked a visibly surprised winner said “What can I say? I am naturally a workaholic. I was not doing my things for reward. So, this came to me as a pleasant surprise.
“I appreciate God for His mercy. I appreciate the Management under the leadership of Professor Oluyinka Samuel Sogunro for finding me worthy of this award. I promise to triple my efforts in taking the Polytechnic of excellence to the next level. I dedicate the award to all struggling women across the globe.”
He explained further “Though, this is not my first. In 2005, I was awarded Best Staff (Technical) under the directorship of Mr Olawumi Anthony Gasper. But this very one is the biggest and somehow remarkable.” Concluded an elated Adesemoye.
It is the believe that the of the school management that such honours will go a long way in encouraging staffs to put-in more effort towards giving their best at all times to the development of the students in their care.
Pics From left: Dean, School of Communications & Liberal studies- Mr Segun Daisi, President, LASPOTECH Alumni association – Dr Yinka Adewusi, Deputy Rector (academics) – Mr Olumide Metilelu, Most Outstanding Staff – Steven Anu’ Adesemoye, Permanent Secretary, Office of Special Adviser on Education – Dr Shamsideen Allison and rector LASPOTECH- Mr Oluyinka Sogunro at the 27th Convocation Dinner and Awards held at the Banquet hall of Airport Hotel on Saturday
A Form 2 high-flyer Naomi Higgins, who passed her Junior Certificate Examination (JCE) with flying colours, has received a tertiary scholarship from Nigerian televangelist Temitope Balogun Joshua, commonly known as Prophet TB Joshua.
Higgins joins thousands of students worldwide who have received scholarship ranging from primary to tertiary education sponsored by Prophet TB Joshua, founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) and Emmanuel TV partners.
The 14-year-old brilliant student, will be the second one from Botswana to benefit from the same initiative following Mary-Jean Nleya who was sponsored by Prophet TB Joshua and Emmanuel TV partners to pursue her Bachelor of Laws and attained Magna Cum Laude at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.
Nleya was also sponsored by Prophet TB Joshua to pursue her Master’s Degree at Harvard University under the Harvard Law School and was also given an opportunity with the help of the Prophet to get an internship at International Criminal Court at The Hague in the Netherlands.
Higgins received her sponsorship during an all-paid expense trip by Prophet TB Joshua two week ago after a special invitation at SCOAN which is located in Lagos, Nigeria following an article which was published by Mmegi newspaper.
Higgins, who is currently doing her Form 4 at Selebi-Phikwe Senior Secondary School (SPSSS) was the only student at Nxakato JSS who attained grade A even though she sat for JCE whilst doing Form 2.
In an interview with Mmegi, Higgins said that words were not enough to describe her happiness when she received an invitation to SCOAN by Prophet TB Joshua.
She said that during her first encounter with Prophet TB Joshua she was shivering and all in tears. He added : “Prophet TB Joshua is a holy man and everything at SCOAN was godly. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet him in person.”
Higgins further said that she was still shocked that everything that happened to her in the past weeks started off with a small achievement of her passing JCE.She hopes to be a cardiologist and said that to her surprise during her one-on-one with Prophet TB Joshua, he offered her a tertiary scholarship to study what she wants when she finishes her BGCSE.
She also said that Prophet TB Joshua also appointed Nleya to be her mentor, role model and contact person for the prophet. Higgins clarfied that :“Nleya was the one who showed Prophet TB Joshua the article.
She is the same person who is going to assist me to apply for Harvard University or any other university, which is best in Cardiology across the globe.” She added that the scholarship would cover everything including tuition fees, living allowance and accommodation.
She also mentioned that Prophet TB Joshua gave her $3, 000 (about P33,000) so that she can purchase educational material to help her prepare for the BGCSE final examination. The intelligent girl was so determined to study harder at school because there was no way she was going to miss an opportunity to go to Harvard University.
About her stay in Nigeria, Higgins said she was over the moon because it has been her long term goal to be part of the congregants at SCOAN. She said that she would always cherish the moment because she was treated like a very important person (VIP) and accommodated in an executive suite just like in a five-star hotel.
The brilliant student described their experience at SCOAN as something out of this planet especially, the part where they visited the spiritual prayer mountain. The ever smiling student said that to make the journey to SCOAN even memorable was the part where she had to board on an aeroplane for the first time in her life.
She said that she would always thank God for everything, day and night, for making her dream come true earlier than expected. Higgins’s mother Ruth Higgins, who was equally elated, thanked Mmegi for writing an article about her brilliant daughter.
She said that it was through the article that her daughter was discovered by the Prophet TB Joshua who offered her the tertiary scholarship. She further said that if her daughter finishes her Form 5, provided she performs ell, she will go to any University of her choice and Prophet TB Joshua will wholly cover the scholarship.
Ruth added : “I don’t know how to describe the feeling as it is out of this world. The ball is in her court now to work extra harder in order to pass her BGCSE.” The delighted mother said that the bursary gives them assurance as parents that their daughter ‘s dream of studying Cardiology at Harvard University would come true provided she meet the University entry credentials. Ruth was certain that her daughter would pass BGCSE with merit because she is a hard worker and well-disciplined girl.
She expressed gratitude to Prophet TB Joshua for awarding Naomi the tertiary education scholarship and to God for giving her abundance of blessings. Ruth also thanked one of the beneficiaries of Prophet TB Joshua’s education bursary Nleya who discovered her daughter.
She shared that they learnt that Nleya also received scholarship from Prophet TB Joshua and Emmanuel TV partners years back when she was just an ordinary visitor at SCOAN. She also described Nleya as a guardian angel who made her daughter’s dream turn into reality. Naomi’s father, Kenneth Higgins said that he was extremely overjoyed of his daughter’s achievements. He said that his daughter’s achievements have brought admiration to his family.
Kenneth said: “This is what all fathers dream of and this is what we want for our families. I give all the honour and glory to the almighty God and Prophet TB Joshua for this grace from God. I am very much humbled by the kind gesture.” He said that Naomi’s achievements would go a long way in motivating her fellow peers on the importance of taking education seriously and to aim high and reach great heights.
