Two Nigerian entrepreneurs (former students of the University of Ibadan) and three research students from the Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, have developed a mobile software application to help dairy farmers perform better.
Named the ‘mDairy App’ according to the company’s spokesperson and Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Ore Famurewa, the effort is being made in partnership with FrieslandCampina WAMCO.
“The three students from the Delft University of Technology and the mDairy app co-founders are collaborating to support local dairy farmers at our different Dairy Development Programme (DDP) sites” Famurewa said.
The Dutch students are Margot Ridderikhoff, Jaap Dechering and Betsie Loeffen while the mDairy’s co-founders are Oyewale Abioye and Gbadegesin Alawode.
In 2017, FrieslandCampina WAMCO partnered with the Dutch-Nigerian Students Business Challenge, an initiative of the Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry and sponsored by corporations mainly of Dutch origin. The initiative aims to address challenges in Nigeria’s health, energy and food sectors.
Having successfully completed and presented relevant business solutions, a new team of three students attached to FrieslandCampina WAMCO came to Nigeria recently to join Oyewale and Gbadegesin in order to deploy mDairy App, which DDP farmers can use with little or no challenge.
To ensure that all farmers from various socioeconomic backgrounds are integrated, the team is also developing an interactive voice message service which would facilitate easy access.
“The mDairy app once deployed is designed to serve as one-stop-shop for DDP farmers’ information needs” Famurewa explained.
From left, Dairy Extension Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Dr. Adebayo Akinade; Students from Delft University, The Netherlands, Margot Ridderikhoff, Jaap Dechering and Betsie Loeffen; Baale, Fashola Community, Oyo State, Alhaji Tijani Abdulah; University of Ibadan students Oyewale Abioye and Gbadegesin Alawode; with DDP Administrative Manager, Henry Adaobor
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has been asked to commence committal proceedings against the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Unity Bank Plc, Mrs. Oluwatomi Somefun, and commit her to prison for allegedly flouting orders made by the court.
The request formed the relief in a motion filed by 25 ex-staff of the bank in whose favour the Lagos division of the NICN had given a monetary judgment on July 3, 2019.
The ex-staff, led by John Adeola Taiwo, stated, in the motion filed on December 2, 2019, that Unity Bank was in open disobedience to the orders made by the court on November 12, 2019, and therefore deserved to be committed to prison for allegedly being in disobedience of valid and extant court orders.
The ex-staff had individually sued the bank in 2016 alleging non- payment of some of their outstanding entitlements and gratuity.
The court later consolidated the suits with the consent of parties and on the grounds that the issues were related.
In a judgment on July 3, 2019, in the suit marked: NICN/LA/84/2019, Justice R. H. Gwandu held in favour of the ex-staff and ordered the bank to pay them various sums of money.
But rather than comply with the judgment, the bank appealed and applied to the court for a stay of execution pending the determination of its appeal.
In a ruling on November 12, 2019, Justice Gwandu granted a stay as prayed by the bank but upon certain conditions.
The judge, in the ruling, said: “By the powers vested in this Court under Order 64 Rule 8(3) and in the discretion of this court, I hereby grant the stay of execution of this judgment pending the outcome of the appeal.
“This goes with the condition that the judgment debtor pays the judgment sum into the account of the Chief Registrar, National Industrial Court (an interest yielding account), such judgment sum shall be released to the party that is victorious in the outcome of the appeal.
“The payment of the judgment sum is ordered to be made within five working days, failure of which shall be treated as contempt of orders of this court.
Mrs. Oluwatomi Somefun, the Managing Director of Unity Bank
The pronouncements of the judge are what Taiwo and others are now accusing the Unity Bank of flouting and in respect of which they seek the committal of the bank’s CEO in the fresh motion filed on December 2, 2019.
They argued, in court documents, that “the order of the court has been respected by the judgment debtor in the breach rather than observance, in spite of the stern warning by the court that failure to comply shall be treated as contempt.
“It is trite law that the order of a court of competent jurisdiction remains inviolate until set aside and so, anyone who an order is made against must obey it until the order is set aside or discharged. Once an order exists, it must be obeyed.
“It is a clear fact that, in spite of the clear and explicit order of this honourable court, directing the defendant/judgment debtor to pay the judgment sum into the court’s account with the name of the Chief Registrar, the defendant/judgment debtor has continued, with impunity, to do the exact opposite of the order of the court”.
They added that the alleged failure of the bank to pay the judgment sum into an interest yielding account within five days, as directed by the court, “is an outright disregard of the order of this honourable court, making the defendant/judgment debtor liable for contempt of court”.
They added that since the defendant/judgment debtor is not a natural person, the law allows that its principal officer is penalized.
“It is trite law that where the contemnor is not a natural person, it cannot be committed to prison, but the principal officer can.
“In this case, the defendant (a financial institution) is not a natural person, who can be committed for contempt thereby making any of its high ranking officers in the person of Mrs. Oluwatomi Somefun, being the Managing Director, liable to be committed to prison for contempt of court.
“We urge this honourable court to grant them leave to proceed against Mrs. Oluwatomi Somefun, the Managing Director of the defendant and to find her liable accordingly and commit her to prison for contempt of the order made on 12th November 2019”.
Thirteen lucky customers of Fidelity Bank PLC will enjoy their 2019 Christmas bountifully as the bank rewarded them with N19m for being faithful and committed to servicing their accounts. The lucky winners emerged from the Second monthly/ First Bi-monthly draw of the Get Alert in Millions Savings Promo Season 4, which held at the Bank’s Regional Office in Abuja.
There were three categories of winners among the customers: N3m, N2m and N1m, in addition to 18 consolation prizes of television set, generators and refrigerators. The Lagos Regional Office had the highest amount of N6m in total, followed by the North West Region with a total of N4m while Abuja Region had N3m cumulative amount. The South East, South South and South West had N2m each.
One of the lucky winners, Chika Perpetua Maduike from Abuja Regional office, who won N2m, when contacted on phone dismissed the call, but finally made it to the office dancing and rejoicing saying ‘this Christmas will be a special one for me. I did not believe the caller, but later decided to try and see if it was true and I have seen and I am very happy’. She went further to say, “I will advertise Fidelity Bank to everyone and tell them the bank is number one in Nigeria. Fidelity Bank , God bless you and take you to the next level in Jesus name’
Another lucky winner, Olawale Abdulgafar, who won N1m said: “When I was called and told I have won N1m, I was not excited because I thought it was a scam. I quickly rushed to a nearby Fidelity Bank and asked someone I know who said a promo was ongoing and I should go to the Regional office . I am here now and I have seen it is real and I am very happy because this Christmas will be joyous for me. I want to thank Fidelity Bank for keeping their words”.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director/CEO, Nnamdi Okonkwo said lucky customers of the bank will cart away N120m at the end of the promo in April 2020, pointing out that N15m was won during the first draw in Ibadan and N19m in Abuja, bringing the total to N34m after the second draw. The MD/CEO who was represented by the Regional Bank Head, North West 1, Mannir Ringim said the promo which started in October 2019 was part of its efforts at deepening the Financial Inclusion strategy of the government and ensure more people are financially included.
“As we speak, over 50m Nigerians are financially excluded, which represents about 45 percent of our population and we in Fidelity Bank want to bridge this gap and also encourage more people to embrace savings culture,” the MD/CEO opined.
Shading light on how people can qualify for the draw, Mrs Janet Nnabuko, Head of Savings said both existing and new customers can win by simply topping their account with N10,000 for existing customers or someone opening a new account and building it up to N20,000. She further disclosed that to qualify for the star prize of N3m one needs to build his account to N50,000 while aspiring for the Grand prize of N10m, one only has to grow his account to N200,000.
Abuja Regional Head, Mrs. Vanessa Mordi said the bank was people friendly and remains committed to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises and also supporting individuals with surprise packages like the Get Alert in Millions Savings Promo.
Representative of the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank PLC, Mannir Ringim flanked by Regional Bank Head for Abuja Bank 1, Vanessa Mordi (L) and Group Head Savings, Janet Nnabuko, at the 2nd Monthly/ 1st Bi-Monthly Draws of Get Alert In Millions (GAIM 4) Savings Promo Season 4, in Abuja on ThursdayFrom left: Representative of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Moses Ayough; Group Head Savings, Fidelity Bank PLC, Janet Nnabuko; Two Million Naira winner, Chika Perpetua Maduike; Representative of the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank PLC, Mannir Ringim; Regional Bank Head Abuja Bank 1, Vanessa Mordi; Representative of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Felicia Chinwe; and One Million Naira winner, Ishola Abdulgafar, at the 2nd Monthly/ 1st Bi-Monthly Draws of Get Alert In Millions (GAIM 4) Savings Promo Season 4, in Abuja on ThursdayRegulators from left: Representative of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Moses Ayough with representatives of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Sunday Adekoya, Thelma Uzoma and Felicia Chinwe, at the 2nd Monthly/ 1st Bi-Monthly Draw of Get Alert In Millions (GAIM 4) Savings Promo Season 4, in Abuja on ThursdayRegional Bank Head for Abuja Bank 1, Fidelity Bank PLC, Vanessa Mordi (L) congratulates One Million Naira winner, Ishola Abdulgafar, at the 2nd Monthly/ 1st Bi-Monthly Draw of Get Alert In Millions (GAIM 4) Savings Promo Season 4, in Abuja on Thursday.Regional Bank Head for Abuja Bank 1, Fidelity Bank PLC, Vanessa Mordi (L) congratulates Two Million Naira winner, Chika Perpetua Maduike, at the 2nd Monthly/ 1st Bi-Monthly Draw of Get Alert In Millions (GAIM 4) Savings Promo Season 4, in Abuja on ThursdayRegional Bank Head for Abuja Bank 1, Fidelity Bank PLC, Vanessa Mordi (R) congratulates One Million Naira winner from Maiduguri, Gyari Daniel, at the 2nd Monthly/ 1st Bi-Monthly Draw of Get Alert In Millions (GAIM 4) Savings Promo Season 4, in Abuja on Thursday
UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, on Friday held the 2019 edition of its annual Each One, Teach One initiative, hosting a huge impact day in Nigeria and across all its subsidiaries in Africa.
The Each One, Teach One initiative is part of UBA Foundation’s activities where the bank’s staff members give their time and skills to the communities around them. All across the continent, staff of the pan- African bank were seen within their communities, teaching and assisting the less privileged, especially students and people living with disabilities.
The Executive Director, Lagos and West Bank, Marketing, Mr. Ayoku Liadi, who represented UBA’s Group Managing Director, and the Chairman of UBA Foundation, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, at the event in Lagos, expressed his excitement over the initiative, adding that as a corporate entity, UBA, through its Foundation has decided to give back as a family, starting by impacting knowledge and skills to students and participants.
Liadi said, “Our goal with this initiative which is in its second year, is to help the under privileged and young children learn vocational skills that will assist them along the path to financial freedom as they start businesses of their own. We have therefore, created a platform to encourage people who have various skills and talents to pass this on to the younger generation.
Liadi also seized the opportunity to give the participants a short lecture about financial literacy, noting that it is important for students to embrace the culture of being financially cautious from a tender age.
He said, “At UBA, we want students to inculcate the habit of savings, especially for the rainy day. It is important that you are cautious about the future, because nothing is guaranteed. Therefore ensure that you bear this in mind when you receive your pocket money and allowance no matter how little; because when you save today, it will go a long way to help you tomorrow, “Liadi told the students who filled the Onikan Youth Centre.
Students from Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare and Treatment Home; Standard Hallmark College, Mushin; Child Life-Line,Lagos and Moyin Rainbow Foundation, Lagos; were some of the students who participated at the event.
The Chief Executive Officer, UBA Foundation, Mrs. Bola Atta, who threw more light on the initiative stated that it is aimed at helping to impact lives positively and in a very meaningful way. She added that the initiative, which was going on simultaneously in 20 countries across Africa, was being driven by UBA staff members who were very happy to give back to the society.
“At UBA Foundation, we are constantly being asked by other staff members how they can help. A lot of people are genuinely interested in doing good. With the Each One Teach One initiative, you don’t need a huge sum of money, you just need to give of your time and talent to at least one other person. It is simple. It is effective and the impact is ginormous imagine how many people across 20 countries in Africa benefitted today from someone just taking a little time to help them acquire new skills or hone old ones. There is something really gratifying about giving back. It helps the communities and helps you grow as an individual.’ Said Atta
Thousands of UBA staff members across Africa voluntarily committed their time today to teaching youths various activities such as foreign languages, photography, tae kwon do, fashion design, martial arts, first aid, coking, hair dressing, mathematics, reading, music and much more.
UBA, Africa’s global bank, is committed to being a socially responsible company and role model for all businesses in Africa. UBA recognises the need for a social contract between the bank, the community and its people.
As the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the UBA Group, UBA Foundation is committed to the socio-economic improvement of the communities in which the bank operates, focusing on development in the areas of Environment, Education, Economic Empowerment and Special Projects.
Executive Director, United Bank for Africa(UBA) Plc, Mr. Ayoku Liadi; CEO, UBA Foundation, Mrs. Bola Atta; Head, Brand Management, UBA Plc, Mr. Lashe Osoba, flanked by students of various schools during the 2nd edition of UBA Foundation’s ‘Each One, Teach One’ initiative where UBA Staff teach and assist the less privileged, especially students and people living with disabilities across Africa, held in Lagos on Friday.
REDTV, the online lifestyle network powered by the United Bank for Africa Group, held its annual Rave on Saturday, November 30 to officially kick-off the ‘Dirty December’ season.
Over 25,000 guests attended this year’s event which was held in Lagos and true to its theme, ‘The shutdown’, the rave was the talk of the entire town this past Saturday.
REDTV hosted the creative industry and other guests to an unforgettable night with top business executives, entrepreneurs, celebrities and A- Listers, entertainers, fashionistas and many young people just wanting to have a fun evening.
UBA Group chairman, Tony Elumelu and the CEO, Kennedy Uzoka, were seen mingling with guests and having a relaxed night away from the rigours of work.
The REDTV rave, which has become the annual Christmas season opener to rival, started with a hot performance by Ajebutter 22, BOJ, SDC and TEMS. Upcoming artist, Fireboy, came in and brought guests to their feet with his hot and fresh releases.
The crowd was not disappointed and remained energised when Olamide jumped on stage to shake the venue with his famous songs that had everyone screaming and jumping for joy. International act, Jidenna thrilled the rave fans, just as Burna Boy sauntered in and brought the audience to a standstill at a party that lasted till the early hours of the following day.
UBA ambassador, the star boy, Wizkid had come into the party to the absolute delight of guests who saw him walking in. He mingled with guests for hours and then gave a surprise performance on stage that took the rave to another level.
DJ Consequence, Sparrow and hypemen Shody and Tosan also took turns to entertain the excited youths throughout the night of thrills.
REDTV’s stars of The Men’s Club, Boutique Hotel, Our Best Friend’s Wedding, Red Hot Topics and Inspector K were amongst the guests that featured prominently at REDTV’s night to remember.
The Executive Producer of REDTV, Bola Atta, who spoke at the rave, talked about how the team had put together a stellar event that showcased outstanding performances by some of Africa’s greatest musicians. She said, “It was indeed ‘The Shutdown’, as we surpassed the expectations of our guests. For us, it wasn’t just about organising a party. REDTV is fully in support of the creative industry and through its shows, has been developing new talents behind the scenes as well as on the screens. We wanted to celebrate all those who are making REDTV a success. So we decided to throw a free concert to say thank you and to wish everyone well as the year comes to an end’.
REDTV provided plenty to eat and drink and participants at the event agreed that as always, REDTV has put together the biggest party in Lagos which continued to trend for days after the event was over.
REDTV is a fast paced lifestyle channel that a Aims to project Africa on the global stage. Proudly powered by the United Bank for Africa, the network is an entertainment platform with rich content featuring the very best of Africa.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) — Africa’s leading philanthropy dedicated to empowering African entrepreneurs — will begin accepting applications for the 2020 cohort of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme, on January 1, 2020.
Applications are made through TEFConnect, the digital networking hub for the African entrepreneurship ecosystem, created by the Foundation.
The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is open to entrepreneurs from across Africa, either with new startup ideas or existing businesses of less than 3 years existence, operating in any sector. Successful applicants will join the over 9,000 current beneficiaries, from 54 African countries, and receive business training, mentoring, a non-refundable $5,000 of seed capital and global networking opportunities.
Last year, the Foundation received about 216,000 applications, with 42% coming from women entrepreneurs, from every country on the continent.
The Programme is a 10-year, $100 million commitment to identify, train, mentor and fund 10,000 young African entrepreneurs. The goal is to create millions of jobs and the revenue required for the sustainable development of the continent, implementing the philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions the private sector as the growth engine for Africa and emphasises the importance of creating social and economic wealth.
According to the Foundation’s 2018 Impact Report, 70% of the total number of businesses in its alumni network were still operational two years after benefitting from the Programme. The report also identified an increase of 189% revenue generated and 197% increase in the number of additional jobs created by beneficiaries post-graduation from the Programme, as well as a 100% commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.
History was made at the just-concluded ‘Thai Silk Festival’ which held in Bangkok, Thailand as Kiki Okewale, one of Nigeria’s Queen of Blings; dazzled the world with her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.Kiki, the recipient of several styles and achievement awards was at the Grand Finale Thai Silk Festival at the Eden Zone Central on November 18 to Friday, November 22’ 2019.
The International ‘Thai Silk Fashion Week’ is organized at the behest of Queen SIrikit by the Thai Tourists Assistance Foundation, in collaboration with members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Bangkok, as part of the annual ‘Celebration of Silk’ project to showcase modern and traditional Thai silk and designs.
This year’s fashion exhibition involved 43 International fashion designers from over 60 countries, showcasing their collections, made from Thai Silk. Hope by Kiki Okewale is the only couturier from Nigeria participating in the special event.
At Thailand, Kiki was the special guest of royalty; she was invited by the blue-blooded Princess Sheikha Hend Al Qassemi of the Emirate, who is a descendant of the royal family of Sharjah, and both the organizer of the Dubai Fashion Week, as well as the proprietress of ‘Velvet’, the popular fashion and lifestyle magazine.
Her understanding of luxury and unique representation of royalty with elegant quality are some of the reasons distinguished women keep coming to her for their style needs.
With her Hope by Kiki Okewale brand, she has authored another chapter in her fascinating catalogue of firsts by blazing the trail as the first Nigerian to be so honoured and recognized in the far Eastern Country.
The popular style icon and CEO of Hope by Kiki Okewale is distinctive stock and creations, has seen her shoot to the top of the fashion and clothing business in Nigeria within a short period of time as she boasts of several women of class and elegance as clients, from A-list celebrities and Nollywood icons, to top women politicians and business leaders.
Just last April this year, Hope by Kiki Okewale became the first and only Nigerian, nay African designer to showcase at Dubai Fashion Week.
President Muhammadu Buhari and his Dutch counterpart, Prime Minister of The Netherlands, Mark Rutte, are happy with the public-private partnership between FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, producer of dairy brands Peak and Three Crowns milk, and the Niger State government on the backward integration initiative ongoing on 10,000 Hectares of Land at the Bobi Grazing Reserve in the state under FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s Dairy Development Programme (DDP).
Both country leaders witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Governor of Niger State, His ExcellencyAbubakar Sani Bello, and the President, FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy, Mr. Roel van Neerbos, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on November 26, 2019. This is in line with the Government’s National Livestock Transformation Plan which seeks to grow livestock farming in Nigeria and transform the Dairy sector into an economic force that will yield the twin objectives of economic growth and people empowerment.
As the Federal Government’s preferred partner on dairy development and backward integration initiatives, FrieslandCampina WAMCO continues to lead DDP in Nigeria by expanding to more States. Currently the company has developed pasture on 1,000 of the 10,000 hectares of land assigned to it at the Bobi Grazing Reserve, and established key infrastructure including a Milk Collection Centre with a high capacity cooling tank and high quality milk testing equipment. Furthermore, the company has emerged the first to introduce hydroponics – a method of growing high-nutrient grass in harsh environments – a green house pasture development that would ensure year-round feed for cows. It has also provided solar-powered boreholes to support farmers with potable water and provide water for the cattle.
President Muhammadu Buhari and Prime Minister of The Netherlands, Mark Rutte, witnessed the signing of the MoU between FrieslandCampina WAMCO and Niger State today in Aso Rock, Abuja
The MOU between Niger State and FrieslandCampina WAMCO acknowledges the nine-year successes of the latter’s Dairy Development Programme (DDP) in Oyo, Ogun and Osun States respectively. It seeks its replication and expansion of local dairy production at the reserve, as well as train dairy cooperatives in Niger State on best global practices.
Leading sustainable dairy development in Nigeria
According to the company’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Ore Famurewa: “The Dairy Development Programme (DDP) was officially launched by our company in August, 2010 in Kwara State. This climaxed with the signing of an MoU between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria as its partner on Dairy Development in April, 2011 and was subsequently renewed in June, 2016.
“The DDP enables dairy farmers to run their businesses optimally with higher yields and better milk quality. This successful and unique model has benefitted over 7000 farmers including 950 women, a Milk Bulking Center (MBC), 6 Milk Collection Centers (MCC) and 20 Milk Collection Points (MCPs) across Oyo, Ogun and Osun states” explained Famurewa.
FrieslandCampina WAMCO with its DDP partners are collaborating to deepen the inclusive model for local sourcing of fresh milk in Nigeria. The Farmer2Farmer is an initiative which allows Certified Dutch dairy farmers share knowledge and technical knowhow with local dairy farmers through on the farm practical training bi-annually.
Specialized trainings are organized on feeding and watering of cattle, calf-rearing, artificial insemination for breed improvement, milking hygiene and practice, milking machine maintenance, hoof care, housing and barn design for local farmers and cooperatives in its over 90 DDP communities to improve milk collection.
The Dairy Development Programme is a sustainable business model that operates the smallholder system. Together with our partners, we empower young farmers and traditional pastoralists with modern animal husbandry methods and provide them a guaranteed market. Through the Dairy Development Programme, the company provides quality nutrition from Grass to Glass by breeding well cared-for cows which are the basis of good quality milk.
With strong alignment to FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s business strategy, the DDP drives local product innovation that provides support in reducing incidences of malnutrition. As part of its achievement, the company recently invested 23million Euros into building an ultra-modern Ready To Drink (RTD) Factory in November 2019. With the commissioning of this factory, locally sourced milk will be used in the manufacturing of Peak Yoghurt.
FrieslandCampina has the ambition to improve the standard of living of dairy farmers in Nigeria where it operates its Dairy Development Programme which has proven highly successful; milk quality and safety and volumes have increased considerably, therebyempowering dairy farmers and creating employment; women are also given the opportunity to participate in technical and entrepreneurial trainings, thus safeguarding food security and nutrition.
FrieslandCampina will continue to lead the dairy space and maintain our position as the market leader as well as the trail-blazer of the Dairy Development Programme in Nigeria. We remain committed to supporting the Federal Government and lead dairy development in Nigeria.
According to Roel van Neerbos, President, FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy, “This mission is an important step in strengthening our longstanding relationship with the Nigerian government. The collaboration aligns with our vision to provide better nutrition to the world with our Dairy Development Programme (DDP). FrieslandCampina enables the local dairy farmers, like in Nigeria, to run their businesses optimally and raise the quality and quantity of their dairy production via the DDP.”
The MoU between FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc and Niger State Government was made possible by the intervention and staunch support of the Central Bank of Nigeria; one of our core partners of the DDP in Nigeria.
President, FrieslandCampina Consumer Dairy, Mr. Roel van Neerbos, and Governor of Niger State, HE Abubakar Sani Bello at the signing of the MoU between the company and the state in the Presidential Villa, Abuja
The signing of the MoU was witnessed by the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; Honorable Minister of Agriculture & Rural Development, Sabo Nanono; Ambassador of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, His Excellency Harry van Dijk; Consul General, Jan van Weijen; President Consumer Dairy, Royal FrieslandCampina The Netherlands, Mr. Roel van Neerbos; The Chairman, Board of Directors, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, Mr. Moyo Ajekigbe; Non-Executive Director, Engr. Mustapha Bello and Executive Director Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Ore Famurewa.
Taking into consideration the importance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to the economy, Heritage Bank Plc has continued to structure financial inclusivity initiatives in empowering over 2000 female entrepreneurs towards economic enablement and self-realization.
This move is in line with the people-oriented policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Heritage Bank Plc is partnering with a Non-Governmental Organization, Prime Women Builders Foundation of Nigeria (PWOBFON) in providing skills training to the female entrepreneurs.
At the graduation ceremony/ certificate award ceremony held at Ikeja Local Government headquarters over the weekend, the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo said the bank is keen in cultivating real partnerships with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Sekibo, who was represented by the Head, Brand Management & Sustainability Ozena Utulu explained that the lender is interested in initiatives that encourage people to start their own businesses and gradually grow them into conglomerates.
According to him, the partnership with PWOBFON is vital in many ways particularly in the area of job creation, economic empowerment and financial inclusion.
His words: “apart from skills training, the women have been told the importance of record keeping in business, savings culture and the benefits of having bank accounts as a gateway to accessing other financial services.”
He said Heritage Bank has been a leading Nigerian bank with an excellent service culture hinged on working with each customer to create a name, wealth and heritage.
Also speaking, President/Convener Prime women Builders Foundation of Nigeria, Kemi Olofinkua applauded the bank for its support, and urged other corporate organizations to take a cue from the lender in supporting grassroots women empowerment.
She explained that through the support from the Heritage Bank and the Ikeja Local government, the women, based on their choices, have been equipped with 15 vocational skills covering event decoration, small chops making, baking, pastries, bead making, computer training , soap making, makeup, tailoring, digital marketing, Photography, hairdressing among others.
To underscore the importance of women empowerment, the CBN had earlier set aside 60 per cent of its N220 billion MSMED Fund for providing financial services to women.
L-R: Secretary to the Local Government, Surulere, Comrade Hakeem Dauda; Supervisor for Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Adenike Yusuf; President/Convener Prime women Builders Foundation of Nigeria (PWOBFON), Adekemi Olofunkua; Vice Chairman, Ikeja Local Government Development Council, Yomi Mayungba and Head, Brand Management & Sustainability, Heritage Bank Plc, Ozena Utulu, during the graduation ceremony/ certificate award ceremony held at Ikeja Local Government headquarters
According to Olofinkua, this training is important because when women are positively occupied, the level of poverty will reduce and great achievements will be recorded not only on the home front, but on several sectors of “our national life.”
“Heritage Bank has been very supportive and our desire is to see participants of PWOBFON Empowerment Day, doing great in their various vocations. Each and every one of us must deliberately find something to occupy us and bring good profit. There are lots of vocations that each and every one of us can excel in; so that we will not be frustrated along the part of life,” Olofinkua stated.
The executive chairman, Ikeja Local Government Development Council, Dr. Mojeed Alabi Balogun, represented by his vice, Yomi Mayungba said the local government is interested in the initiative because it is in line with its grassroots skills training program . According to him, this is a way of keeping not only women, but men also out of the streets.
He disclosed that the first batch of trainees started from Ikeja and this is the 10th year anniversary. “The local government is delighted to partner with the NGO, Heritage Bank and other interested parties,” Balogun said.
First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced its partnership with Linda Ikeji TV for the broadcast of the TV show, First Class Material. The show is billed to premiere on all FirstBank and Linda Ikeji TV platforms across the web and social media on Tuesday 26th November at 8am and reposted at 7pm same evening- Nigerian time.
First Class Material is a programme which aims to chronicle the success stories of Nigerians who are distinct and exemplary in their achievements and importantly, a testament to the greatness of the West African country.
The weekly show would have viewers exposed to Nigerians across the globe that have carved a niche for themselves by being exemplary and influential in their chosen endeavours and career path. Success stories of notable firsts and trailblazers would be highlighted, with viewers encouraged to go beyond limits and leave no stone unturned at making their dreams a reality.
Amongst the success stories to be broadcasted through the course of the 6 months weekly programme is brilliance of Ifeoma Thorpe-White, a 17 year-old Nigerian immigrant admitted into all eight Ivy League schools in the United States, including Stanford & Harvard universities.
Speaking on the TV show, Folake Ani-Mumuney, the Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, First Bank of Nigeria Limited said “First Class Material is a celebration of notable Firsts by Nigerians which underscores what First Bank of Nigeria Limited stands for. The essence of the TV programme is to have many more people informed and encouraged by the successes, thereby having these feats emulated in their chosen endeavours.”
“We are excited about this partnership with Linda Ikeji TV and remain committed to celebrating the successes of Nigerians which indeed resonates the theme of FirstBank’s 125 anniversary, thus “Woven into the Fabric of Society”, she concluded.
Also speaking, Nigeria’s renowned celebrity blogger, Linda Ikeji said “being the first to do something is remarkable. It defines and shapes paths for others to follow. And it can be truly inspiring when one is partnering with a company such as FirstBank – an institution of many firsts’’.
