The Mayor of Banjul, the capital city of Gambia was amazed with the generosity and benevolence of Rohey Lowe who recently launched the Gambian faction of REFELA, a network of women elected officials of substantial and local governments in Africa. According to Mayor Lowe, she is interested in the growth of women and the encouragement of the womenfolk to develop themselves globally. REFELA was founded in 2005 in South Africa for the reunification of three continental groups of local governments.
According to reports available to us, REFELA is the African section of the world organization, UCLG Africa with a membership of 44 national associations of local governments from all regions of Africa as well as 2000 cities that have more than 100,000 inhabitants.
Mayor Lowe emphasized further that the unification of African women is very necessary and will help propel the continent to the highest level in the nearest future. In records, REFELA has now become a fundamental part of UCLG Africa and represents locally elected women officials within the global women’s Commission of United Cities and Local Governments that is the UCLG. The highly revered Mayor of Bajul, Lowe further emphasized that the launch will mark a turning point in the aspiration of Gambian women in all areas of development and explained that REFELA is a women platform under the United Cities of Local Governments of Africa (UCLG) which is the umbrella organization and the united voice representing local governments in Africa. Mayor Lowe also stressed that the campaign to better the lives of women as advocated by REFELA took a very positive turn through her election as the first woman mayor of the Gambia’s capital city of Banjul.
In her further statement, Mayor Lowe expressed that the campaign to better the lives of women as advocated by REFELA took a very positive turn through her election as the first woman mayor of the capital city of Banjul. She then said that the situation is more challenging for rural women without active participation in the electoral processes because it will get worse. She admonished women that they should know that they constitute more than half of the country’s population and additionally they offer more than 54% of election and yet, they lack representation.
The Mayor also used the opportunity to call on Gambia’s women to get prepared for the 2021 election noting that she is ready to work with the women in actualizing that dream. She also urged women not to campaign and cheer the male folk but to focus on progressing the female contestant.
It could be recalled that the African section of the world organization of UCLG Africa has a membership of 44 national associations of local governments from all regions of the continent as well as 2000 cities that have more than 100,000 inhabitants. There is no doubting the fact that REFELA has now become a fundamental part of UCLG Africa and represents locally elected women officials within the global Women’s Commission of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG Women).
Rivers State Government and the Ethiopian Airlines have reached an agreement in principle for the operation of permanent international flights from the Port Harcourt International Airport, subject to the approval of the relevant federal authorities.
The two parties reached the agreement at the Headquarters of Ethiopian Airlines after a high-powered meeting attended by the Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Dr. Tewolde Gebremariam; the Chief Commercial Officer, Esayas Wolde Mariam; Vice President, Strategic Planning, Busera Awel; Managing Director, Sales International, Lemma Yadecha; Regional Director, Sales and Services , Western Africa, Mitiku Asrat; and Manager, Group Alliance and Commercial Cooperation, Hewoel Lemma.
Chief Commercial Officer, Esayas Wolde Mariam, in an address declared that Ethiopian Airlines has agreed to fly permanently from Port Harcourt International Airport subject to the approval of the federal authorities.
He said: “We are willing and capable to fly into Port Harcourt on a regular basis. For now, we have exhausted our Bilateral Air Agreement Approval and we need another approval to operate the Port Harcourt route.
“We need your help to ensure that approval comes from the Federal Authorities. At first, there should be a temporary operating permit, pending the final approval “.
The Chief Commercial Officer added that Ethiopian Airlines needs the initial support of the Rivers State Government for handling and aviation infrastructure in Port Harcourt to develop the new Market.
He declared that Ethiopian Airlines will also embark on advertisements to promote Port Harcourt as a tourist and investment destination.
Vice President, Strategic Planning, made a presentation on the capacity and vision of the Airline for the continent.
In his response, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike declared that the state Government is willing to provide an enabling environment for Ethiopian Airlines to operate in the state. He assured that he will meet with the Minister of Aviation to ensure that Port Harcourt International Airport is approved for Ethiopian Airlines as a destination.
Wike declared that his administration is working on making Port Harcourt a regional air transport hub for greater economic development of the state.
He said: “As we therefore consolidate on our achievements, we want to also focus on making Port Harcourt city a regional air transport hub through the private public partnership approach while leveraging on the existing aviation infrastructure and related market and other advantages of the state.”
“I wish to assure you that we are ready to do everything within our powers and spheres of authority and influence to facilitate the realization of your interest and desire directly and sustainably fly from Port Harcourt to Addis Ababa and other parts of the world”.
Wike thanked Ethiopian Airlines for their interest in expanding and retaining their services in Port Harcourt city. He said that the Rivers State Government will offer its social partnership, goodwill and support.
The governor noted that Port Harcourt is strategically located to serve as a transit point for the entire South-south and parts of the South-east.
“We have agreed in principle that there is need for Ethiopian Airlines to fly from Port Harcourt to other destinations. Port Harcourt is a destination of choice, as it easily accessible for the entire South-south and other states in the South-east”, Governor Wike said.
Wike was accompanied by Former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Austin Opara; Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah; Director General of Rivers State Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. Thompson Emmanuel; former House of Assembly Member, Felix Nwaeke; Former Eleme Local Government Area Chairman, Chief Ejor N. Ejor; and President of Port Harcourt Investors and Entrepreneurs Forum, Ibifiri Bob-Manuel.
Also yesterday, Wike was led on a facility tour at Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa. The governor and his delegation were briefed on the capacity of Ethiopian Airlines to Service the Port Harcourt-Addis Ababa International Route
These are the Most Expensive Watches in the World Ranked by the Sale Price, Auction Value or Estimated Value
Once a year we take a look at the Most Expensive Watches in the World 2019! This ranking has been updated in June 2019.
Not only there are several new incredibly expensive watches, we also have a new #1, which says a lot considering that the previous World’s Most Expensive Watch – title holder was valued at $25 million.
Most of the watches we’re gonna show are one of a kind and are owned by the richest people in the world, and who would judge them, watches are a status symbol and owning one priced so high will definitely set you apart from the other billionaires out there.
So what exactly does make these watches so expensive?
It mostly comes down to just three factors:
1. Expensive parts such as rare diamonds, gold, platinum, meteor rock, dinosaur bone etc.
2. The amount of time it took to complete and the detail level of what the watch is able to do.
3. How unique or how much of a intangible value can be attributed to the piece.
Every watch we’re gonna feature has an incredible story behind that will make you wonder what is like to own a watch designated only for the most affluent individuals!
Here are the Top 10 most Expensive Watches in the World 2019:
10.
LOUIS MOINET METEORIS WATCH ~ Price: $4.600.000
What if I told you there was a watch so rare that in order to make it you had to go into space and get some moon rock?
What is I told you there were 4 of these watches that apart from the beautifully crafted architecture each contains something so special that the average person will never get to encounter in their life-time?
These 4 watches form the Meteoris Collection by Louis Moinet and they all tie for the 10th position on our top 10 most expensive watches in the world!
You can learn more about the Louis Moinet watches here!
If you thought these were special, you wouldn’t belive the Hublot that’s next.
9.
HUBLOT – BIG BANG ~ Price: $5.000.000
If the previous pieces stood out by the rarity of the components this one focuses on only 1 material: Diamonds! and a lot of them!
But just how many diamonds can one manufacturer put on a wrist watch?
Hublot answered that question with: as many we can fit in there! They ended up with 1280 diamonds that have at least 3 carats each.
It took over 1 full year just to find the diamonds and bring them to the headquarters from all corners of the earth but the end result was fully worth it!
Every single stone was cut by a well renowned jeweler from New York, with over 40 years of experience, in order to make sure each bears the same cut signature.
You’re probably wondering who’d spend $5 Million on full diamond watch?
Beyonce Knowles bought it for her husband Jay-Z as a birthday gift for his 43rd anniversary! We’ve covered the story in this original video!
The watch looks amazing and if you’ve got the money I think it’s an amazing piece to add to your collection!
But I wouldn’t spend it right away because we’ve still got some even more expensive ones to come!
8.
Vacheron Constantin 57260 – The most complicated watch ever made ~ Price: $8 million
This time, Vacheron Constantin decided to make the most complicated watch in existence. The watch is fairly new compared to the rest of the ones on this list.
A complication is the number of functions a watch can do and this one 2800 components and 57 complications. It has a solid 18k white gold case and densely packed components inside.
It took a team of three watchmakers more than eight years to design and create the 2,800-component Reference 57260 from scratch.
They were considering selling the price somewhere between 5 to 10 million and a private buyer picked it up for 8 million dollars.
7.
PATEK PHILIPPE – Ref. 1518 – Wristwatch ~ Price: $11.136.642
Mid-November 2016 at the Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo Geneva Watch Auction Four sale, an incredibly rare Patek Philippe wristwatch was auctioned of.
It was sold for 11,002,000 Swiss francs! That’s around 11,136,642 USD.
The reason why it fetched such a high amount is rather odd, it’s the fact that it has stainless steel casing, a very rare thing since almost all luxury watches Patek made with yellow or rose gold. While most other watches on this list get their value from the jewels added to the watch, this is part of a very limited edition 4 piece series.
On the back of the watch underneath the serial, you can notice a number 1. Which means it is the first one of the 4.
You would expect that such a rare piece would be one of the most expensive watches in the world 2019 and it proudly made the list, but only at #7.
6.
Jacob & Co. “Billionaire Watch” ~ Price: $18,268,000
This feels less like a watch and more like a crown. The Jacob & Co Billionaire watch is certainly one of the most luxurious watches in the world. It’s like they looked at the 5 million dollar Hublot we mentioned before and said: “Yeah, we can do better”.
We couldn’t talk about the most expensive watches in the world 2019 without having a billionaire worthy watch couldn’t we?
Adorned with 260 carats-worth of brilliant emerald-cut diamonds, it features a handcrafted movement comprising 167 components and 19 jewels. Just to put things into perspective..
If you had the money to buy this particular watch, but instead you put it in a decent portfolio that pays 7% interest, you’d be earning 1.3 million dollars every year, just on the interest.
The company wasn’t playing around when they said this is a Billionaire’s Watch.
We’re ready to start the top 5 most expensive watches in the world 2019!
5.
PATEK PHILIPPE – HENRY GRAVES – POCKET WATCH ~ Price: $24.000.000
It used to be the most expensive pocket watch the world had ever seen!
It was sold for $11 Million back in 1999 if we adjust for inflation and the economic environment + its novelty factor this piece could easily go for over $15 Million if it was to be resold. They wanted to put that theory to the test. Last year it went on Sale and it fetched a record breaking 24 million dollars.
Made in 1933 for banker Henry Graves by Patek Philippe himself, it took over 5 years to complete!
It happens to be one of the most complicated and complex pocket watches in the world with over 24 functions!
Made out of 18 carat gold the watch used to be the world’s most expensive pocket watch until late 2013 when one piece dethroned it.
It’s the one on the 3rd spot!
4.
CHOPARD 201-CARAT WATCH ~ Price: $25.000.000
With 874 rare diamonds the Chopard 201-carat watch used to be the world’s most expensive watch and still is the 3rd highest priced jewelry watch out on the market!
Sold in the year 2000 for this unbelievable amount of $25 million it made the front page of every luxury publication at the time.
Contrary to the $5 million Hublot we’ve talked about earlier, the stones don’t form any sort of pattern or design which leads us to the following question:
Why would you wear something so bulky? and for some people unappealing. It wasn’t just some publicity stunt Chopard pulled off, but I my opinion it lacks a certain degree of finesse which I would expect from them.
With all that considered we still have to bow our heads to the masterpiece created and take a closer look and see the detail level of work put into the ultimate jewelry.
It features a very small display and such a wide variety of diamonds that even at close inspection it is very likely for you to miss some.
The specifications for a number of the diamonds are as follows:
– 1 heart-shaped diamond, natural Fancy Pink, Internally Flawess, 15.37 carats.
– 1 heart-shaped diamond, natural Fancy Blue, VS2, 12.79 carats.
– 1 heart-shaped diamond, D color, Flawless, 11.36 carats.
– 3 pear-shaped diamonds, natural Fancy Intense Yellow, 8.45 carats total.
– 26 pear-shaped diamonds, natural Fancy Intense Yellow, 17.07 carats total.
– 48 round diamonds, natural Fancy Yellow, 8.81 carats total.
– 260 pear-shaped diamonds, all D color, Flawless, 60.94 carats total.
– 91 round diamonds, D color, Flawless, 10.29 carats total.
– 443 FC diamonds, natural Fancy Intense Yellow, 4.95 carats total.
Graff Diamonds The Fascination ~ Price: $40 Million
Remember when we said that Chopard opened the door for a new type of watch? Well, this is it.
Jewelry companies have the upper hand when it comes to simply adding as many valuable gems and stones to a watch as possible and Graff is the biggest name of all when it comes to Diamonds.
The watch consists of 152.96 carats of white diamonds with a center fancy-cut exquisitely rare stone that is a 38.13-carat D Flawless pear shaped diamond that detaches into a ring.
According to Laurence Graff, the founder and chairman of Graff Diamonds: “The Fascination is an outstanding piece, carefully crafted so it can be worn in a number of different ways – adding a touch of magic to the jewel,”
Top 10 Most Expensive Watches in the World – Graff Diamonds The Fascination ~ Price: $40 Million
1.
GRAFF HALLUCINATION ~ Price: $55 MILLION
This is it! The Graff Hallucination is the most expensive watch in the world 2019 with a price tag of $55 million.
Where do we even begin? It was unveiled a couple of years ago at the Baselworld watch and jewelry fair, the first time Graff took part in it. They sure know how to make an entrance!
From the start the watch was supposed to be the most valuable timepiece ever created! And they did it!
The incredible worth stems from 110 carats of really rare and really big colored diamonds set into a bracelet of platinum.
Just to make things easier, when diamonds are extracted and processed their color ranges from D to Z. The colored diamonds used for this particular watch, qualify as “Fancy” which means they go beyond the normal scale as incredibly rare and valuable.
If you look really close at the bundle of gems you can see a tiny quartz dial in the middle of it framed by pink diamonds.
The Graff Diamonds – Hallucination is the most expensive watch in the world 2019 – Price: $55 Million
Laurence Graff’s comments on the Hallucination: “The Graff Hallucination is a sculptural masterpiece, a celebration of the miracle of colored diamonds. For many years I have thought about creating a truly remarkable watch that illustrates our all consuming passion for diamonds. The Hallucination has made my diamond dream a reality.“
Just to put things into perspective, the most expensive watch costs as much as a Gulfstream private jet.
We put together this video which you can share with your friends:
Some Lagos residents, who want to re-register their vehicles, have lamented how officials of the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency under the state Ministry of Transportation frustrate and extort them.
They said aside from paying N46,000 for change of ownership documents and number plates, they were being made to part with extra cash for ‘processing’.
According to them, the officials charged each applicant between N10,000 and N12,000 extra, money that is not receipted.
Our correspondents were told that months after some motorists had paid the N46,000, they had yet to get their documents and number plates.
An engineer, Mr Edet Okon, said he paid N46,000 to change the ownership of a registered Honda Crosstour he bought, adding that three months after, he had yet to get the documents and the number plate.
He explained, “The car I am using was registered in the name of my company, because I took a loan to acquire it. When I completed payment for the car, the company transferred it to me and I applied for the change of ownership documents.
“I paid N46,000 to the licensing office since July. I don’t know what is keeping them from processing the application for change of ownership. I have yet to be assigned a new number plate. The official in charge wants me to bribe him and I am not going to do that. It is wrong for people to expect that they must be tipped to do their job.”
Another resident, Opeyemi Oyejide, said he could not understand the government’s inability to give him a number plate despite the fact that he had paid the required fee.
Oyejide, 40, advised the agency to issue temporary clearance permits to vehicle owners, who had commenced the re-registration process, to prevent security agents from harassing them.
He said, “For me not to have completed the change of ownership means that governance is at low ebb in this state. It simply implies that the government cannot perform the basic task it was set up for. I got the number plate for my first car in three days in this same Lagos, but everything has changed now.
“But if you are willing to offer a bribe, you will get the number plate in record time. I know somebody, who paid over the odds for re-registration and his number plate has been delivered, but because people like us refused to part with extra money, we have not got what we paid for.”
Another motorist, Adekunle Bello, said the charges for vehicle re-registration were exorbitant, alleging that government agents and their cohorts had created artificial scarcity of number plates to extort money from applicants.
A resident, Goriola Adegoke, who paid extra N10,000 to a government employee, said he got his documents and number plate under two weeks.
“That is not the standard procedure, because the money certainly goes into their pockets. I have yet to even get the receipt for the N46,000 I paid before adding the N10,000. The extra money facilitated the choice of the local government that reflected on the number plate. This is nothing but fraud,” he stated.
During a visit to the MVAA at Alausa, PUNCH Metro learnt from some officials that the processing of number plates ideally should take 48 hours.
But an official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that the licensing office at the state secretariat had stopped issuing number plates for re-registered vehicles.
He explained, “Before now, the government issued number plates to new vehicles and old vehicles brought for re-registration. But recently, it stopped issuing new number plates for old vehicles. So, we decided to apply for new number plates for people re-registering vehicles.
“The process of doing this is long. That is why we collect an extra fee of N12,000. I charge a total of N60,000 to re-register a vehicle. Those, who paid N48,000 cannot get new number plates except they add N12,000.”
Another official in the Alimosho area of the state said he charges N55,000 for re-registration of a sport utility vehicle.
Asked why the fee was high, he said the government had stopped what he termed the ‘re-reg’ scheme for old vehicles.
The agent stated, “They used to charge N20,000 for re-reg that time, but they have stopped. So, for us to get number plates for those doing re-registration, we adopt the process of new vehicle registration, which costs N30,000.
“For the change of ownership, you need a total of N55,000, in addition to two passports, means of identification, particulars of the vehicle and change of ownership and purchase receipts. Within two weeks, everything will be ready.”
But the General Manager, MVAA, Mrs Lape Kilanko, said the official lied.
According to Kilanko, the state government is still running the re-reg scheme, which costs N12,500 as against the N20,000 stated by the official.
She noted that the total amount for re-registration of a vehicle was N26,325, and not N55,000 or N60,000 as stated by the government worker.
The MVAA boss insisted that there was no scarcity of number plates in the state, adding that standard registration number plates did not also come at additional costs.
For clarity, PUNCH Metro gave an example of a Honda Crosstour for re-registration and demanded its cost implications.
She said, “The change of ownership process will require a letter of authorisation to transfer ownership, a police report for the change of ownership, sworn affidavit for the change of ownership, Central Motor Registry payment, valid means of identification of the new owner and an updated vehicle licence.”
According to her, the change of ownership fee is N2,500; Capital Gains Tax, N625; number plate, N12,500; pre-registration inspection fee (by the Vehicle Inspection Service Directorate), N3,800; Central Motor Registry, N1,000; administrative charges, N2,000; and vehicle licence, N3,900.
She said the total cost was N26,325.
The general manager noted that it would take 20 to 30 minutes for the registration of new vehicles and 48 hours for the completion of the change of ownership.
Investigation by PUNCH Metro revealed that a long chain of corruption involving officials of the agency was responsible for the differences in the rates charged.
“At every stage of the process, officials of the MVAA hike the official rates to line their own pockets,” a source said.
A client representative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said unless the government made vehicle registration and re-registration a one-stop process, the fraud would continue.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr Olawale Musa, said the government would look into the issues.
The government of France, led by President Emmanuel Macron; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, represented by Bill Gates; the US government and other Global Fund donors have pledged $14.02 billion to end malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis by 2030.
This is the biggest amount ever raised for a multilateral health organization, and the largest amount by the Global Fund.
For context, this is more than the entire wealth of Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest billionaire, who was estimated by Forbes to worth $10.4 billion in 2019.
According to Global Fund, the funds will help save 16 million lives and end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030.
Peter Sands, Global Fund chief executive, had initially annouced the optimistic target of $14 billion, which was going to be far above what most donors had budgeted.
But President Macron called on donors to increase their commitments by at least 15 percent, as he raised France’s donation by 20 percent to $1.42 billion – $60 million more than previously announced.
The US Congress approved a commitment to give a total of $4.7 billion over three years, while Britain — despite Brexit challenges — pledged £1.4 billion, a 16% increase from initial budget.
Germany pledged €1 billion, a 17.6% increase; Canada pledged CAD930 million, a 16% increase, the European Union pledged €550 million, a 16% increase; Japan contributed US$840 million.
Further expanding its donor base, the Global Fund also welcomed 20 new and returning public donors.
Global Fund also said private donors pledged more than $1 billion for the first time ever, an extraordinary achievement led by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s pledge of US$760 million.
NIGERIA PLEDGES $12M
Some African countries also participated in the historic fundraiser, with frontliners like Nigeria pledging $12 million, South Africa $10 million, Kenya $6 million, Zambia $5.5 million.
From the middle east and Asia, Qatar pledged $50 million, Saudi Arabia $30 million, and India $22 million.
During the fundraiser hosted by the French government in Lyon, Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said “Today’s Global Fund replenishment result is an incredible achievement”.
“This is a big day in the history of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria – and one that no one expected two decades ago when the diseases were at their peak.
“Thank you to all the donors who increased their contributions. We hope others are inspired to follow their lead and support the Global Fund to continue its life-saving work.”
Major recipients of the fund will be Nigeria, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique and Zimbabwe — where the issues being addressed are prevalent.
Global Fund and its donors believe that a world free of malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis is possible, and they add that they are working with development partners across the world to achieve that by 2030.
Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says online news platforms will soon be regulated.
The minister said this on Thursday in Abuja when he inaugurated a seven-man committee set up to implement reforms in the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Mohammed said the reforms that will be implemented by the committee are recommendations approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said Buhari approved an amendment to the NBC act to enable it to license WebTv and radio stations, including foreign broadcasters beaming signals into the country.
“The terms of reference of the committee are as follows; To establish and publish a new regulation for the licensing of web and internet broadcasters/international broadcasters in Nigeria,” he said.
“To immediately commence work on all statutory, legal and regulatory framework for further legislative action on the review of the NBC act by the national assembly.
“To work out the modalities for a competitive and reasonable salaries, wages and other welfare needs of the staff of the commission.
“To establish necessary protocols for the establishment or appointment of professionals or technocrats (non-partisan personality) to run the agency, and appointment into the board of the NBC.”
The minister said the president also approved the upward review of fines from N500,000 to N5 million for breaches relating to hate speeches, and the upgrade of political comments relating to the same to ”Class A” offence in the broadcasting code.
“I have no doubt that this committee, which comprises highly-experienced professionals and administrators, will carry out a thorough job that will reposition the NBC as an effective and efficient regulator,” he said.
Members of the committee are: Armstrong Idachaba, NBC director of monitoring (chairman); Godfrey Ohuabunwa, acting chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON); J.K. Ehicheoya, director, legal services, ministry of information and C
culture; Binta Adamu Bello, secretary, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON); Ibrahim Jimoh, director of administration, FRCN; Agbo Kingsley Ndubuisi, NBC board member and Joe Mutah, chief press secretary, ministry of information and culture (secretary).
It’s no longer news that REDTV’s Red Hot Topics is now in high demand with millennials constantly craving for more. Well the latest update is that the show has now dropped episode 5 with great promise of more rich and robust subjects. The show which follows a panel of young people discussing current and relevant topics that affect everyday life has gotten very popular with enormous followers always waiting to catch the next episode.
Every gathering of the 11 exciting, energetic, hot young folks, features them openly and frankly touching on topics ranging from equality to infidelity, sex, relationships, honour, business and the choices we all must make.
They ask daring questions, which they collectively, do well to thrash out, leaving viewers not only enthralled but also better enlightened on topical issues.
Produced on set in the brand new studios of REDTV, Red Hot Topics will defy the norms and break down all barriers. The boys – T.J, Ihechi, O.D, Tayo, Ola , Farouq and the girls – Lolo, Ada, Coco, Bukky and Ariyiike are stunning, stylish, suave and ready to talk. If it’s honest, they will tell it. If it is taboo, they will uncover it. But most of all, if it’s forbidden and unchartered, – they will go all the way and bring the heat!
Speaking on REDTV’s latest series, Executive Producer of the Show, Bola Atta said ‘Red Hot Topics is a chat show that will change how people think and act, in a positive way. The conversations of the vibrant youths are as essential as they are interesting and engaging. The cast is fun, honest and fresh, all speaking straight from the heart, with no holds barred.’
REDTV is a fast paced lifestyle channel that puts Africa on the global stage. Proudly powered by the United Bank for Africa (UBA). The network is here to entertain and inform, with rich content that features the very best of Africa; focused on entertainment, fashion, news, design, music, sport, movies, travel and much more.
REDTV collaborates with the most talented visionaries, creative minds daring to believe in a New Africa, putting together content that reflects it. Feel the Heat on REDTV.
Pan African financial institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has again rewarded another 20 customers who have emerged winners in the final draw of the UBA Wise Savers Promo, winning N1.5 million each, bringing the total amount won by 80 customers for the duration of the draw to N120 million.
The electronic raffle draw, which was held at the UBA Head Office in Lagos on Thursday, October 10th 2019, was witnessed by the relevant regulatory bodies including the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Lagos State Lottery Board and Consumer Protection Council.
Lucky customers who emerged winners in the fourth draw cut across all regions of the country. They are Lucy C Izunwanne; Agatha N Osifo-Whiskey; Aja-Ukpabi Bridget Ndidiamaka; Ajufo Patroy; Arewa Mathew Oluwatosin; Medline Paula; Olaniyi Joseph Ososba; Odibe Franca Nkechi; Kofo T Ogunsipe; Thany Abdullahi.
Others are Favour Jimmy Ufot; Orok Nsikak Uwem; Enyatam Daniel; Peace Ekemerighe; Yusuf Muhd; Alade Jamiu; Ibrahim Saheed; Ali Sarah; Zainabu A Adamu and Hemen Queen Torkwase.
The just concluded promo, which commenced in September last year, ran till the end of September 2019 and saw a final 20 customers from across Nigeria become millionaires, winning N30 million in the grand finale of the draw.
l-r: Head, Micro-small, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs), United Bank for Africa(UBA) Plc, Mr Babatunde Ajayi; Group Head, Direct Sales Agency, UBA Plc, Mrs Ogechi Altraide; Group Executive, Transformation and Resources, UBA Plc, Mr Chiugo Ndubuisi; Group Head, Marketing, UBA, Mrs Dupe Olusola; Group Executive, Customer Fulfilment Centre, UBA Plc, Mr Anant Rao; and Group Head, Brand Management, UBA Plc, Mr. Lashe Osoba, at the Grand Finale of UBA Wise Savers Promo where over 20 UBA Savings Account Customers won N1.5m each, bring the total amount won during the promo to N120m, in Lagos on Wednesday
Speaking during the event, UBA’s Group Head, Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) and Telemarketing, Mr. Anant Rao, said that since the promo began late last year, the bank has been impressed at the level of response so far by its customers across the country, adding that the purpose of the campaign is to reward loyal customers while encouraging the savings culture.
He noted that due to the promo, over two million customers qualified for the promo, adding that there has been a remarkable increase in the number of participants in this edition stating that the bank’s objective of helping customers’ save for the rainy day is being achieved.
He said: “It is very easy to spend money but to save is a habit all must imbibe. Our key objective is to encourage our customers to save regularly. We are here to support our customers and to encourage them to save as well.”
The Group Executive, Transformation and Resources, Transformation and Resources, Chiugo Ndubisi, who commended and appreciated customers at the event said, “We had two major objectives for this promo which were to create and encourage a savings culture and to reward loyal customers and we have achieved this. We will be coming out with a bigger promo very soon and we are sure that even more of our customers will benefit from the next promo.
“We will continue to listen and give them nothing short of the best that they deserve. UBA will not relent, because we are impressed with the impact this has made so far and will continue to touch the lives of our loyal customers positively,” he explained.
Some of the lucky winners that were contacted on phone after the draw were elated, describing their rewards as life changing. “I didn’t expect it and I am so grateful to UBA because this will go a long way to meeting my business needs and charting a new course for my life,” says one of the winners based in Benin, Edo State .
The criteria for qualifying for the draw was to save at least N30,000 in a UBA savings account or in instalments of N10,000 each for a period of three months. customers were able to open a savings account on any of the numerous bank channels, including Magic Banking (*919*20#) and LEO, or in any of the UBA branches across the country, and start saving to stand a chance of winning.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading pan-African financial services group, operating in 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States of America and with presence in France.
l-r: Group Head, Brand Management, UBA Plc, Mr. Lashe Osoba; Group Head, Marketing, UBA Plc, Mrs Dupe Olusola; Group Executive, Transformation and Resources, UBA Plc, Mr Chiugo Ndubuisi; Group Head, Direct Sales Agency, UBA Plc, Mrs Ogechi Altraide; Group Executive, Customer Fulfilment Centre, UBA Plc, Mr Anant Rao; and Head, Micro-small, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs), United Bank for Africa(UBA) Plc, Mr Babatunde Ajayi, at the Grand Finale of UBA Wise Savers Promo where over 20 UBA Savings Account Customers won N1.5m each, bring the total amount won during the promo to N120m, in Lagos on Wednesday
In a move that signals the biggest partnership in Nigerian music, Nigerian Breweries (through Star Lager Beer) and Access Bank have announced ‘Access The Stars’, a groundbreaking collaborative music platform to discover, groom and amplify the next generation of Nigerian talents.
Access The Stars is a new platform created for exceptional and aspirational Nigerians in the music industry to be discovered, refined, and empowered to reach higher heights by accessing their star potential. Successful artists will get to tour with the best of Nigerian artists on ‘The Trek’ across the country, giving the grassroots access to the stars to learn one-on-one.
This move explores the intersection between business and a shared love for the rich entertainment culture of Nigeria. Over the years, Access Bank and Nigerian Breweries have built consumer-focused music assets like Star Mega Jam, Star Music – The Trek, Star Quest and BAFest. With Access The Stars, Nigerian Breweries and Access Bank are together, consolidating the trajectory of “Discovering, Refining and Showcasing” the best of Nigeria’s musical talents.
Commenting on the new initiative, Herbert Wigwe, Access Bank MD/CEO stated that Access The Stars is borne out of the desire of both brands to continue to connect with people through the one platform they both have in common which is music. “Both our brands share a long history of creating excellent musical experiences for not just our customers, but the wider Nigerian audience, and this is us expanding on that,” he said.
Discovered talents will tour on ‘The Trek’, alongside a roster of stars that include; Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Flavour, Phyno, Olamide, Kcee, among others.
Hosting Access The Stars will be music superstar Dare Art Alade, with television host and radio personality, Olive Emodi as co-host. Choreographer and CEO Imagneto Dance Company, Kaffy, Nigerian Music Producer, Tee-Y Mix and Nigerian Music Star, Seyi Shay will judge the talents to be found across Nigeria.
Speaking on the new partnership, Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc., Jordi Burrut Bel says:
“Access Bank and Nigerian Breweries have the shared interest of serving Nigerian customers, and through this partnership, we are harnessing our collective strengths to shape an exciting future. Via this collaboration, we will give hidden gems access to shine by discovering, polishing and showcasing them to Nigerians, Africans and the world.”
Access Bank today is the largest bank in Nigeria and Africa’s leading bank by customer base. It is a full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 600 branches and 29 million customers.
Nigerian Breweries Plc, is the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria. It serves the Nigerian market spanning 800,000 retail outlets with a consumer base of over 45 million Nigerians.
Nigeria’s premier and leading financial services provider, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2019 Customer Service Week themed “The Magic of Service’. The weeklong event is to be celebrated from 7 – 11 October 2019 across the Bank’s over 700 branch networks in Nigeria and its FBNBank subsidiaries in over half a dozen countries across 3 continents.
The Customer Service Week is an international celebration which highlights the importance of customer service and staff who serve and support customers daily to deliver exceptional service to customers.
With its robust customer service network over the years, cutting across diverse cultures, tribes and races, transcending to its digital channels; FirstBank has since the last 125 years supported its customers’ – beyond the shores of Nigeria – at meeting their individual and business needs, thereby contributing to national growth and development. This, the bank achieves through its innovative, interactive, self-service banking platforms like WhatsApp banking, *894# Quick Banking mobile solution, Firstmobile banking application, internet banking and ATM amongst many others. These electronic banking channels are constantly updated with new and exciting features to put the customers experience and service at an edge in the industry.
According to Taiwo Shonekan, the Bank’s Head, Customer Experience & Value Management “with our dynamic and vibrant customer services operations at FirstBank, we remain committed to rendering the gold standard of services to our customers and stakeholders alike regardless of where they may be across the globe. Efficient customer services forms part and parcel of our DNA, our responsibility at putting our customers first and indeed the centerpiece of our impact since we were founded in 1894.”
“Our robust customer service puts our stakeholders and the public alike at an advantage in meeting their personal and business needs as it underscores the magic of our services through a hundred and a quarter of a century,” she concluded.
