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Gates, France, US pledge $14bn to end malaria, HIV by 2030

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.

Online media will be regulated in Nigeria – Lai Mohammed

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).

REDTV’s Red Hot Topics Enters Season 5

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTzoDjGphlo&feature=youtu.be

UBA Rewards 20 more customers in Final Draw of Wise Savers Promo as 80 Customers win N120million

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 10^th 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

Nigerian Breweries and Access Bank Announce New Music Show ‘Access The Stars’

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.

FIRSTBANK CELEBRATES 2019 CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK, UNDERSCORES THE IMPACT OF CUSTOMER SERVICE THROUGH ITS 125 YEARS

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.

President Buhari Extends the Retirement of His Nephew with 3 years more than 35 Service years

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of service of his Chief Personal Security Officer, Abdulkarim Dauda, by three years.

Dauda, who was promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police last year, is Buhari’s nephew.

By the presidential approval, the CPSO, who was due to retire from service on January 1, 2020, will now leave the force on May 13, 2023.

Born in 1963, Dauda was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Officer on January 1, 1985 and would clock the mandatory 35 years in service in January 2020.

Force Secretary, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali, in a signal conveying Dauda’s tenure extension directed the force’s Department of Information Technology to amend their records to reflect the development.

The message with reference number 23853/FS/FHQ/ABJ/46 seen by our correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday, read, “The President, Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Chairman, Police Council, has graciously approved the extension of service of CP Abdulkarim Dauda to May 13, 2023, when he would have attained 60 years of age. Commissioner, Information Technology, amend your records please.”

Prior to his posting to the State House as CPSO to the President, Dauda served in different police commands and formations, including the Sokoto State Command, Force Criminal Department, Lagos, Katsina State Command, Lagos State Command, Edo State Command, Police College, Kaduna, and Kano State Command.

The CPSO office was created by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to pave the way for his aide-de-camp, Moses Jitoboh, to be part of his personal security structure.

But a few months after Buhari’s inauguration, his nephew was redeployed to serve as his CPSO.

It was learnt that Daudu subsequently removed Daura from his name to allegedly prevent the public from tracing his family connection to the President following criticisms over Buhari’s appointing his family and kinsmen to government offices.

Our correspondent learnt that the decision to extend Daura’s stay in the force had been generating tension in the Police Service Commission, as senior officials regard Buhari’s action as a usurpation of the PSC’s powers and a violation of the 1999 Constitution.

A PSC official claimed the CPSO was being groomed to succeed the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, in 2021.

He stated, “The plan is to promote the CPSO to the rank of AIG and then make him the IG in 2021 when Adamu retires from service. We believe the President was misled into extending Dauda’s tenure because he had no power to do so.”

In a related development, our correspondent learnt that the tenure of embattled DIG in charge of Training and Development, Yakubu Jubrin, has been extended by two weeks.

Jubrin clocked the mandatory retirement age on October 1, but The PUNCH learnt that his tenure had been extended to October 15.

Jubrin, who was queried for misconduct by the PSC, had approached the National Industrial Court seeking an order restraining the commission from sacking or demoting him.

The plaintiff in suit no. NICN/ABJ/294/2019, also sought a declaration of the court that the PSC could subject him to further disciplinary measures or dismissal.

The originating summons filed by his lawyer, Alex Izinyon (SAN), was supported by an affidavit deposed to by ACP Batagarawa Buhari, who stated that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), had informed the police that they had the mandate to handle the recruitment of 10,000 constables as directed by Buhari.

The commission last month queried the DIG for allegedly masterminding the disagreement between the PSC and the police by releasing the names of successful candidates and inviting them for medical screening without it’s permission.

The PSC also accused the DIG of making disparaging remarks against the commission’s Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, and a member of the board in charge of recruitment, Austin Braimoh.

My daughter deserves appointment as Special Assistant —Gov Okowa

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said that his daughter, who was appointed as Special Assistant to the Governor on Girl Child, deserved the appointment.

He said this on Tuesday in Asaba, while addressing the issue of appointments into his cabinet for his second term in office.

Okowa said that contrary to the rumours that he had appointed two of his daughters, he had only appointed one of his daughters into his cabinet and that she deserved for the position.

He said, “I want state residents to know that I did not appoint two of my daughters. Only one was appointed as S.A. to Governor on Girl Child and she rightly deserved it.”

Okowa added, “We are trying to cut down our appointees this time around, obviously the number of appointees will be less than what we have in my first tenure.”

United Nations to Owe Salary as Nigeria, others Fail to Pay Dues

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called on member states to pay their outstanding contributions, as the organisation faces such a “severe financial crisis” that staff salaries risk not being paid next month.

Guterres said this on Tuesday while addressing the UN General Assembly to introduce a proposed budget for 2020.

The UN might start November “without enough cash to cover payrolls,” Guterres warned. “Our work and our reforms are at risk.”

Some member states that have not paid their dues include- Nigeria, Israel, Brazil and Iran.

The United States, which is the biggest donor to the UN, has not also paid its dues in full following the decision of President Donald Trump to reduce America’s contribution to the UN.

President Muhammadu Buhari sent a multitude of delegates to this year’s UN General Assembly sessions, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyeama, in SSeptember.

At least three governors and six ministers were on the trip accompanied by a retinue of aides and carry-ons racking up thousands of dollars in estacodes, according to Africa Report.

Two Nigerian nationals- Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed and current President of the UN General Assembly, Tijjani Bande – are also currently among the UN’s most high-ranking officials.

Nigeria had in 2017 resolved to withdraw from 90 out of the 310 international organisations to which it has financial commitments.

The then Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, had put Nigeria’s annual commitment to all the international organisations at $70m.

She had said the country owed all the organisations about $200m, adding that the decision to withdraw from 90 of such organisations was aimed at cutting cost.

Guterres called on UN member states to “recommit to paying your financial obligations on time and in full.”

Of 193 members, 129 had paid their contributions to the regular budget, according to Guterres’s spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric.

By the end of September, 70 per cent of the total amount needed for budget operations had been paid, Dujarric said. At the same point last year the UN had received 78 per cent of its budget.

“The secretariat could face a default on salaries and payments for goods and services by the end of November unless more Member States pay their budget dues in full,” Dujarric said.

The US is expected to cover 22 per cent of the UN’s regular budget, according to a Congressional Research Service report published in 2018.

According to CNN, the US is obligated to contribute $674m to the UN regular budget for 2018-2019.

However, it owes a total $1.055bn, according to the UN spokesman’s office, which is cumulative money owed from previous years.

UBA’s Kennedy Uzoka Celebrates Staff, Customers, Calls them ‘Miracle Workers’

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2019 Customer Service Week, themed, “Magic Happens Here,” with recognitions for staff who have excelled in excellent service delivery.

The event which was commemorated all over the world, recognises the importance of customer service and seeks to show appreciation to the staff who serve and support customers with the highest degree of care and professionalism.

The theme for this year’s celebrations embodies all that the bank represents as encompassed in its Core Values – the 3EEEs: Excellence, Enterprise and Execution. Already, all branches of the bank are engaged in various activities which would make the week-long celebration exciting and memorable.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, who spoke on the significance of continuous excellent service delivery to customers, appreciated the staff who have worked tirelessly to satisfy customers, and urged them not to rest on their oars.

He said, “More than three years ago, we resolved to address the persistent customer service challenges in the Bank by launching the Customer First (C1st) Philosophy.

“The primary objective of which was to transform the Bank into an undisputed customer-focused institution delivering excellent financial services from the customers’ standpoint.

“As we celebrate this year’s Customer Service Week, I would like to express my gratitude to you all for the journey so far. It is my belief that, with our collective strength and commitment to the Bank’s corporate goals, the on-going crusade on Customer-First Philosophy, anchored on our core values; Enterprise, Excellence and Execution (3EEEs), the C1st drive will permeate the system and become our most treasured initiative group wide,” he noted.

The GMD seized the opportunity to explain that UBA was on the right trajectory to entrenching herself as the preferred bank in the hearts of customers, adding “Our primary objective is to imbibe and demonstrate C1st philosophy as a ‘way of life’ in all our engagements with customers. This is truly our core essence and how we wish to be primarily recognised always.”