Wema Bank Launches Export Trade Academy to Empower Nigerian SMEs in International Markets
In a bold step towards empowering Nigeria’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Wema Bank has launched the Wema Export Trade Academy, a groundbreaking initiative designed to enhance the global trade capabilities of local businesses. This forward-thinking program demonstrates Wema Bank’s commitment to empowering Nigerian businesses and supporting their international growth potential.
Navigating the complex landscape of export trade involves overcoming regulatory, financial, and logistical hurdles, which can often hinder small businesses from establishing a foothold, the Wema Export Trade Academy is designed as a solution to these challenges faced by Nigerian SMEs when entering international markets. The Academy specifically structured to address each critical aspect of global trade, providing SMEs with targeted guidance on compliance, documentation, financial planning, and risk management.
Participants in the Wema Export Trade Academy will benefit from sessions led by industry experts as well as mentorship opportunities with seasoned professionals. The academy goes beyond conventional training by offering real-world insights into international trade practices, such as export documentation best practices and navigating trade agreements, positioning Nigerian SMEs to confidently expand their presence in the global marketplace. Additionally, the program fosters a collaborative environment, encouraging participants to network with fellow Nigerian exporters, exchange ideas, and build connections with international trade facilitators. This supportive ecosystem is aimed at enhancing productivity and positioning Nigerian businesses as strong contenders on the world stage.
As a trailblazer in digital banking and business innovation, Wema Bank continues to set high standard within Nigeria’s financial landscape. The launch of the Wema Export Trade Academy marks a new chapter in the bank’s mission to support Nigerian enterprises, solidifying its role as an indispensable partner in their journey to international success.
The Wema Export Trade Academy embodies Wema Bank’s pioneering spirit and commitment to providing SMEs with practical, impactful solutions. With comprehensive training on export processes and access to strategic financial products, the program stands as a testament to Wema Bank’s role as an enabler of growth for Nigerian enterprises.
…as Assembly holds public hearing on proposed local govt law
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has said there are no plans to scrap the 37 Local Government Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state.
Dr. Obasa, represented by Deputy Speaker Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, said this at a second public hearing on the bill to amend the Local Government Administration law of the state on Thursday.
“We are gathered here to consider and reflect on a bill that seeks to further enhance how our third tier of government should be administered.
“The LCDAs have come to stay and they would remain so by the special grace of God. Nobody is killing the LCDAs. Instead, we have come to say here is the Supreme Court judgement; how do we go about it? I know we all have the interest of this state at heart.
“Did we follow the right part in creating the LCDAs? The answer is ‘yes’. So at this point, it is a call for every Lagosian to rise up and protect the LCDAs by reaching out to all our representatives at the national level.
“Our representatives and senators should lobby their colleagues there. We will continue to do our part and we are doing it to ensure that the 37 LCDAs are listed in the constitution,” the Speaker said.
He recalled that just about two weeks ago, people were also gathered to deliberate on the electoral bill for the Local government election which he said is the first right step before the House could go into how the local governments should function.
“This Bill has passed the preliminary stages and the House is hereby subjecting it to public appraisal in our transparent convention. At this stage, we subject the bill to public assessment, gathering public observations and thoughts to reflect on them in the next stage of the bill.
“The bill is seeking to consolidate all laws on local government administration. The law, when passed, will allow the local governments function optimally with strict adherence to the rule of law and separation of powers,” he added.
The Speaker stressed that the bill also made mention of four-year tenure for the elective offices in the local government, which, according to him, has finally removed the ambiguity of the past as regards tenure of these elective officers.
The bill, he said, has elaborated all that needs to be done for an effective administration of the local governments including declaration of assets, nomination of a chairman, removal of a chairman or vice chairman, discharge of functions of the chairman, local government area supervisors appointees, executive powers of the local government, street naming and many more.
Section 4(3) of the Bill states: “The 20 local governments shall have designated local council Development Areas as listed in the First Schedule to this law for effective and efficient local government administration in the State.
Section 4(1) of the Bill further states: “There shall be 37 Local Council Development Areas in the State with the names specified in Schedule II of the Creation of local government (Amendments) of 2004.”
Speaking after an overview by Hon. Noheem Adams, Majority Leader of the House, Lagos-based lawyer, Muiz Banire (SAN) identified some clauses in the Bill that needed further inputs.
Banire argued: “The import of the Supreme Court judgement is simple. The State Governor does not have the power over council chairmen, if any council chairman misbehaves, it is the councillors that can decide on what to do.”
He also advised that section 38 of the Bill should be expunged, noting “It is no longer legal for the Ministry of Local Government to be issuing guidelines for local governments.”
However, Banire was countered by former Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, who said: “The constitution gives power to the State House of Assembly to create local government, the law has been tested, our LCDAs have been in existence but only not listed.
“Nobody can say the law is not in existence, I was the Majority Leader as at then. You are saying the House should not have the power to do some things again; we need to be very careful. We know some governors are making nonsense of the local governments but Lagos is an exemption.”
Corroborating the position of Taiwo, another former Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Funmilayo Tejuoso said: “When you have a child that does not have a name, does it mean that the child is dead? It simply means that the LCDAs are still existing. The Supreme Court has recognised them, we are only waiting for the constitution to reflect the LCDAs.”
She therefore stated that the LCDAs should continue to exist, noting “We shouldn’t throw away the baby with the bath water.”
Also speaking, Imam Ibrahim Tijani from Itire-Ikate said he supported the continued existence of the LCDAs.
A stakeholder, Ajose Agbejoye, suggested that elections into local government councils should start six months before the expiration of the four-year term of a current administration so that electoral issues would have been settled before the swearing-in of a new chairman.
President of Greater Lagos Initiative, Adeniyi Olutimehin also appealed to the House to allow the LCDAs to continue to function irrespective of whatever amendments it makes to the Bill.
What You Need to Know About the Adron Homes Lemon Friday Promo
The Lemon Friday Promo is Adron Homes and Properties’ most exciting and anticipated annual sales event! Every year, Adron Homes brings unbeatable deals and extraordinary benefits for people looking to invest in real estate. This year’s Lemon Friday Promo promises even bigger discounts, exclusive prizes, and unique opportunities to own land or property in premium locations. Here’s everything you need to know about the promo:
1. Incredible Discounts on All Properties
The Adron Lemon Friday Promo offers massive discounts on all Adron properties, including residential estates, commercial plots, and investment land. For a limited time, customers can buy properties at a fraction of the usual price. This is the perfect opportunity for anyone wanting to secure their dream property or add to their investment portfolio without breaking the bank.
2. Flexible Payment Plans
Adron Homes is known for its customer-friendly payment options, and the 2024 Lemon Friday Promo is no exception. During the promo period, you can pay for your property in installments, allowing you to spread payments up to 60 months or even years, depending on the package. This flexibility makes it easier for more people to achieve homeownership, regardless of income level.
3. Exclusive Gifts and Prizes
Subscribers to the 2024 Lemon Friday Promo can enjoy up to 45% discount on various properties with a payment option of up to 60months, in addition to a variety of mouth-watering gifts including bags of rice, inverters batteries, gift vouchers, and even cows. This year’s edition continues to cater to the needs of all Nigerians, ensuring that Adron Homes’ properties remain affordable, accessible, and appealing to a diverse clientele.
4. Location, Location, Location!
The Lemon Friday Promo covers some of Adron’s most coveted locations across Nigeria. This includes properties in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Jos, Nasarawa and other fast-developing areas. Each location is strategically selected for growth potential, access to amenities, and investment returns, ensuring that no matter where you buy, you’re making a sound investment.
5. Seamless Documentation and Support
Purchasing property can involve a lot of paperwork, but Adron Homes ensures a smooth experience by providing comprehensive support throughout the process. From the initial payment to securing your title deed, the Adron team will assist you in navigating each step, making property ownership stress-free.
6. Access to Expert Advice
During the Lemon Friday Promo, Adron Homes offers access to real estate consultants who provide expert advice on property choices, investment insights, and location advantages. This is an excellent opportunity to get professional guidance on choosing the right property for your needs and budget.
Adron Lemon Friday Promo is not just about discounts; it’s about creating opportunities for people to achieve their dreams of homeownership or investing in real estate. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, the promo provides access to quality properties and flexibility, with perks that enhance the overall experience.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to invest in property, the Lemon Friday Promo is it! Take advantage of the offers, secure your future, and become part of the Adron Homes community.
Confusion! As GTBank Customers Decries Unauthorized Transactions and Deductions in their Accounts
The crisis facing the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), seems not to be abating. The bank that pride itself as one of the best in the country has been facing issues since it upgraded a couple of days ago. It initially kept the customers in the dark when the app is not opening after the bank had announced a successful upgrade thereby not giving them access to transact both banking and non-banking operations on their accounts.
As if that is not enough, the customers of the bank have also come to the social media to express their confusion and anger after they eventually gain access (though still not able to perform any successful transaction) to their accounts only to discover that there have been so many unauthorized transaction in their accounts. Whereas some are confused about the deposit and subsequent remover of monies into their supposed personal accounts, the complain of some is that there are unauthorized deductions carried out and still being carried out while their complains to the bank through digital and physical means are being treated with kid gloves.
It would be recalled that social media had recently reported that the website of the bank was hacked, though this was refuted by the bank at that time but the recent happening is questioning whether the bank is still in control of their banking platforms, and this is making slight the competence of the bank in securing the deposits of its numerous customers, who had been left in limbo by the management of the GTBank.
The bank is taking so many backlash over the recent issue as some customers are threatening seeking legal approach claiming the long disruption of banking activities has cost them huge loss.
Nigerians on the X (formally Twitter) had been coming up with several reasons for the unauthorized transactions on different accounts that. According to some Netizens, after discovering the evidence of the unauthorized transactions, expressed fear and suspicion that the transactions may be that some fraudsters within and outside the bank had hide under the upgrade to use their accounts to fraudulently transfer proceed of fraud.
GTBank has not responded in anyway to the accusations and suspicion, while giving the shocked and angry customers the silent treatment, some have taken to the social media to warn against banking with the bank over the shoddy treatment.
Below are links and screen shot of few customers on the current fiasco by the GTbank;
Adron Boss, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking Reaffirms Commitment to Yoruba Culture at Ooni of Ife’s 50th Birthday
In a gesture that underscores his unwavering commitment to promoting and preserving the rich Yoruba culture and traditions, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, accompanied by the Managing Director of Adron Group, Mrs Adenike Ajobo and some other company’s management team, paid a royal visit to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi Eniitan, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, on Sunday, October 20, 2024, in celebration of the monarch’s 50th birthday.
The visit took place at the Ooni’s historic palace in Ile-Ife, a city revered as the cradle of Yoruba civilization. Aare Emmanuelking, a staunch advocate for cultural heritage, expressed his deep admiration for the Ooni’s pivotal role in uniting and uplifting the Yoruba people. This significant visit exemplifies the strong relationship between Adron Group and traditional rulers across the country, and it reflects the company’s commitment to community development, as well as the preservation of Nigeria’s diverse cultural values.
Speaking at the event, Aare Emmanuelking emphasized the importance of maintaining and promoting the customs and traditions that define the Yoruba people, while fostering relationships with traditional rulers and the broader community. He noted that these relationships are essential not only for cultural preservation but also for supporting sustainable development that benefits local communities and strengthens national unity.
“A nation’s growth is deeply tied to its cultural roots. The Yoruba culture, and indeed all Nigerian traditions, form the bedrock of our values and our identity. We at Adron Homes are proud to be associated with these values and are committed to ensuring that they are passed down to future generations,” Aare Emmanuelking stated during the visit.
In closing, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking offered his heartfelt prayers to the Ooni of Ife, saying: “May His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi Eniitan, continue to reign in wisdom, peace, and prosperity. As the custodian of our cherished traditions and a beacon of hope for our people, we pray for long life, good health, and enduring success for His Majesty. Long live the King, long live the Ooni of Ife.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, expressed his gratitude for the visit and lauded Adron Group’s efforts in supporting traditional institutions and fostering development. The Ooni’s 50th birthday celebrations have drawn dignitaries and well-wishers from across the country, all paying tribute to his reign and visionary leadership.
Adron Homes and Properties, a leading real estate company, remains committed to its mission of making affordable housing accessible to all Nigerians. Under Aare Emmanuelking’s leadership, the company continues to engage with traditional rulers, recognizing their vital role in community cohesion and the preservation of cultural identity.
Ooni of Ife endorsed the 7th edition of the Adron Games
On Sunday, October 20, 2024, top real estate firm, Adron Homes and Properties, led by its Chairman and CEO, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, paid a courtesy visit to the Palace of His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, CFR, in Ile-Ife. This visit was to seek the revered monarch’s endorsement for the upcoming ADRON GAMES 2024, scheduled to take place in November 2024 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Following a week of celebratory activities for the Ooni’s milestone birthday, Aare Adetola, also known as Aare Akile Adimula Oodua, commended the Ooni for his unwavering support for real estate professionals in Nigeria. He emphasized Ooni’s significant contributions to sports development, highlighting its essential role in fostering community growth. During the visit, Aare Adetola presented a soccer ball to the Ooni, who showcased his skills with it. A framed official jersey was also gifted to symbolize the Ooni’s endorsement of the forthcoming Adron Games. This event aims to unite sports enthusiasts, real estate firms, and various stakeholders under one roof to participate in a range of indoor and outdoor competitions, with exciting prizes for winners in different categories.
The Ooni, through a signed letter, formally endorsed the Adron Games and expressed his intention to attend the event. He encouraged Adron Homes to continue its commitment to sports development, recognizing it as a vital unifying force for youth across the nation, transcending racial and regional divides. He also expressed gratitude to Aare Adetola and his team for their support during the Annual Olojo festival and for celebrating his birthday with generous gifts.
In his remarks, Aare Adetola highlighted that Adron Homes is honoured to collaborate with traditional rulers and contribute to the development of their communities. He extended best wishes to His Imperial Majesty for continued good health and prosperity, expressing hope for many more years of celebratory milestones. Aare was accompanied by several senior executives from Adron, including Adenike Ajobo (MD), Ihuoma (DGSM), Azuru, Emmanuel Oladapo (DAS), and several other key team members.
Lagos Assembly Intervenes in Model College Fee Hike
– as parents protest
Following a protest by some Lagos parents over the increase in the boarding fees of the state’s model colleges, the Lagos State House of Assembly has directed the Chairman of its House Committee on Education, Hon. Mosunmola Sangodara, to invite all the concerned stakeholders and report back within a week.
This directive came after the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, met with the protesters at the Assembly gate.
The fees were hiked from N35,000 to N100,000 for the 2024/2025 session which commenced on September 15, 2024.
During plenary on Monday, Obasa said that he had to intervene when he heard the crowd chanting protest songs at the entrance to the Assembly.
He advised the parents to remain calm, assuring them that the matter would be addressed.
Hon. Sangodara (Surulere II) informed the House that the committee had already engaged the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders.
Hon. Shabi Adekola (Lagos Mainland II) also explained that during a meeting with the officials of the Ministry of Education and others, it was agreed that the parents should continue paying N35,000 pending further review of the fees.
Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa Constituency II) pointed out that the increment was primarily related to students’ feeding costs. He, however, urged the government to explore ways to ease the financial burden on parents and offer assistance where necessary.
In his contribution, Hon. Bonu Solomon (Badagry I) added that parents had raised concerns that students unable to pay the new fee were not allowed to purchase food within the school premises adding that this had further complicated the situation.
The House is expected to await the report from the education committee before taking further steps.
Lagos Assembly To Hold Second Public Hearing On LG Administration Bill
– invites Attorney-General for interpretation of Supreme Court judgement
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday agreed to conduct another public hearing on a bill that seeks to review the Local Government Administration law of the state.
The House also invited the Attorney-General of the State, Lawal Pedro, for an interpretation of the recent Supreme Court judgement on financial autonomy for local governments.
The resolutions came at a sitting presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
Dr. Obasa said the review of the Local Government Administration law is not aimed at scrapping the LCDAs but to further strengthen them.
“I agree on the need for us to schedule a second allotted day for the public hearing,” the Speaker said while adding that he had been inundated with calls by people who wanted to know the fate of the LCDAs.
“We are not scrapping the LDCAs. Rather, what we are trying to do is to look at the recent Supreme Court judgement in terms of Lagos and local governments joint account and fashion out a way where the parent local governments and the LDCAs work together without the LDCAs shortchanged,” he added.
The Speaker also agreed on the need to work for the formal listing of the LCDAs by the National Assembly.
“Kano has 44 local governments and out of Kano, Jigawa was created and has 27,” he said as he suggested a review of the revenue sharing formula by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
Chairman of the Committee on Local Government, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, had, while giving a report on the public hearing earlier conducted by the committee, said that many of the stakeholders invited for the event could not make it.
He attributed the poor attendance to the weather condition of the day just as he prayed the House to approve a second allotted day for the exercise.
Supporting Hon. Okanlawon’s request, his colleague, Hon. Ladi Ajomale said: “A lot of people are saying they do not understand what is going on and maybe the government is trying to wipe some people out of the local government system,” he said.
He also called for a liaison and better collaboration with the National Assembly with the aim of making the upper legislature understand why the LDCAs should be listed as substantive local governments.
On his part, Hon. Desmond Elliot noted that because of the size of Lagos in terms of population and its economic importance to Nigeria, it was imperative to work for the listing of the LCDAs.
“Anambra state has 21 local governments and it is nowhere close to what Lagos has in terms of resources, economic importance and dividends of democracy,” he said.
The fashion scene in Festac Town just got a stunning upgrade with the grand opening of StylebyKenyville Fashion House, commencing its grand entry into the key luxury market, and will offer same-day delivery across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara and its environs for Starters.
Recently, fashion enthusiasts, celebrities, and local influencers gathered at the fashion house Located in the heart of Festac Town, 512 road, to witness some of the best quality fittings for both male and female including children and also drive its sales both at the store and online on all its handles.
The Fashion house, owned by Oluwakemi Coker, a fashion enthusiast prides itself with signature designs from iconic collections carefully crafted with the young and old in mind. it’s a reflection of the House of the Lagos cosmopolitan spirit.
Stylebykennyville, which commenced operation with ready to wear bespoke clothes on August 17 amid a grand launch, witnessed the gathering of the creme del a crème of the fashion community in attendance.
As guests arrived, they were greeted with an atmosphere brimming with style and sophistication. The store’s chic and modern interior design provided the perfect backdrop for the impeccable collection of fashion offerings.
StylebyKenyville collection showcased an array of outfits that catered to various tastes and occasions, ranging from classic and timeless pieces to bold and avant-garde designs.”
While speaking during the launch, Chief Executive Officer, Stylebykenyville, Mrs Oluwakemi Coker is optimistic that her platform, will offer some of the best iconic design made for a every moment, while offering a lower than market average rate for fashion luxury.
With the doors officially open, StylebyKenyville Fashion House promises to be a beacon of style in Festac, bringing the latest trends and unique designs to the heart of Lagos. Fashionistas, get ready to strut your stuff in style.
Ecobank Nigeria to Host Design and Build Expo, Featuring Premier Exhibitors
Ecobank Nigeria is set to host its inaugural Design & Build Expo, aimed at highlighting the latest trends, innovations, and sustainable practices in architecture, construction, building materials, household appliances, engineering, and interior design. This carefully curated five-day event tagged “Building Nigeria Together” will take place from November 27 to December 1, 2024, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) on Victoria Island, Lagos, starting daily at 10:00 am. Approximately 60 exhibitors have already signed up to present their products and innovations at this significant fair.
During the event announcement in Lagos, Omoboye Odu, Head of SMEs, Partnerships, and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, emphasized that the expo is part of the bank’s broader initiative to support the country’s economic development. The expo aims to provide a platform for professionals in the design and building sectors to showcase and sell their offerings to a larger audience, while also facilitating valuable networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, consumers, and stakeholders in the economy.
The expo will focus on businesses that include real estate development, kitchen fittings, tiling and flooring, interior design, lighting, woodwork, electronics, and construction tools and equipment.
“As a Pan-African bank, this expo aligns with our mission to contribute to the economic growth of the countries we operate in. It’s a unique opportunity for industry players to showcase their products, network, and promote the adoption of sustainable practices, emphasizing renewable materials and energy-efficient technologies,” Odu stated.
Ms. Odu also highlighted that exhibitors would gain significant exposure to key decision-makers, influencers, and potential clients, allowing them to showcase their offerings and engage in interactive sessions, workshops, and live demonstrations. This will enhance their brand visibility, provide valuable market insights, and help them explore emerging industry trends. She concluded with an open invitation to stakeholders and enthusiasts in the real estate sector – asking that they join us at this novel exhibition and collectively let us combine forces in Building Nigeria Together.
In addition to the expo, Ecobank Nigeria has launched various initiatives to support SMEs and boost the economy, including the successful Adire Lagos Experience, +234 Art Fair, Ecobank National Schools Team Chess Championship, and Oja Oge 2024. The bank is also conducting its monthly MySME Growth Series, aimed at training and empowering over 1 million SME operators nationwide by the end of the year.
