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FIRSTBANK COMMEMORATES 2022 CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK

FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider has announced its commemoration of the 2022 edition of the Customer Service Week scheduled to be globally celebrated on 3 – 7 October 2022.

The event themed: “Celebrating Service” will be marked across its FBNBank subsidiaries in over half a dozen countries which include FBNBank UK, FBNBank Ghana, FBNBank Senegal, FBNBank Gambia, FBNBank Guinea, FBNBank DRC and FBNBank Sierra Leone.

Customer Service Week is an international celebration that highlights the importance of customer service and staff who serve and support customers daily to deliver exceptional service to customers.

The Bank’s celebration of the 2022 Customer Service Week will include several activities considered integral to promoting a relaxed atmosphere whilst extending its participation to everyone, irrespective of where they are. The activities include virtual engagement of customers on its social media handles: firstbanknigeria on Instagram; First Bank of Nigeria Limited on Facebook; First Bank of Nigeria Limited on LinkedIn and @FirstBankngr on Twitter.

Others are a video booth and photo frame funfair, then a Virtual Party on the Friday of the weeklong event and a movie date for staff.

Through the last 128 years of its operations, FirstBank has played a leading role in utilizing its robust customer service network and digital banking architecture to support its customers – cutting across diverse cultures, tribes and races beyond the shores of Nigeria – in meeting their individual and business needs. The Bank achieves this through its innovative, interactive, self-service banking platforms like *894# Quick Banking mobile solution, FirstMobile banking application, Firstmonie Agents, FirstOnline internet banking, WhatsApp banking, and ATM amongst many others. The Bank’s electronic banking channels are constantly updated with new and exciting features to expose customers to exemplary services and experience to put them at an advantage in the industry.

According to Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank “for us at FirstBank, celebrating service, the theme of the 2022 edition of the Customer Service Week is a reflection of our brand mantra “You First”. This reiterates the essence of our existence since 1894, centred on putting You, our customers First as we continue to support individuals and businesses to impact the economy.

With our dynamic and vibrant human-led and digital-led customer services operations, we remain committed to rendering the gold standard of services to our customers and stakeholders regardless of where they may be across the globe” she concluded.

Inspirational Musician, Funmi Ayinke To Shut Down United Kingdom For Rugged Fest

Popular and unique inspirational Musician, Funmi Ayinke is set to shut down the prestigious 02 Arena in the United Kingdom for Rugged Fest on Friday, 14th Of October, 2022.

Funmi Ayinke is among the few Nigerian artistes that were invited to come perform at the globally recognized music festival. The likes of Oxlade, Bella Shmurda, to mention a few are also billed to perform at the show.

The organizers of the show when announcing the inclusion of Funmi Ayinke to the list described her as one who would be bring the Afro-soul vibe straight from motherland, Nigeria.

No doubt, this is a huge win for the Nigerian music industry especially the Afro-soul category which Funmi Ayinke represents.

Funmi Ayinke is known for her unique sound and style that talks majorly to the youths in the society. Since her sojourn into the music industry, she has become ‘ a book’ for the youths to inculcate values through her songs.

Funmi Ayinke has released several songs that include Obirin,Open Letter, I Can Make It, It Is Our Time, several others and just recently, Carry Me.

The Jagaban of Borgu is not a saint but the best option for Nigeria 2023! – Hon. Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye

Just like no one is perfect, Asiwaju is not perfect. Yes he was complacent in many areas of need by the Nigerian masses and some elites too!, Yes he has some advisers who do not genuinely have his interest and the interest of Nigeria at heart and who continues to mislead and shield him from the truth as well from good people for their personal gains ONLY! Alas this man, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a kind hearted man who had been very good in identifying talents, putting round pegs in round holes, growing economies, people and brilliantly knows our problems as a people and as a nation. He knows exactly what to do to fix it!!

Senator knows that he can NOW become unselfish having had ALL that life has got to give and as Governor from arguably the most populous City in Africa; He is a king maker and a talented strategist, A firm decision maker and a people person! He MUST become more understanding now and intelligently face the National problems with practicable sustainable solutions, where we can start reducing our debts, increasing our capacity in areas of power generation and distribution, “put feathers back on the body of the hens” so that ‘the hen’ can flourish especially where we can simultaneously put GOOD teams together to ensure we STOP miscarriages of Justice, impunity and embolden the LAW, it’s communication and it’s respect.

Bola Tinubu, is a fair person, who must allow the people to own structures and make them accountable. Nigerians are embodiment of brilliance! I however understand that the human mind is unpredictable, the reason some of our leaders are forced to handle governance the way they do – with fear and control, but this man has come a long way and knows by now, the REAL rules of the game! He will have to make changes even to his kitchen cabinet and I mean that literally – provisions of what he eats and drinks.

The unity of our country, as we know it lies in a leadership that understands the good, the bad and the ugly and can sincerely retrace their steps, ask for forgiveness from the people, empathize and sympathize with the plight of our people and then strategically push forward an agenda that will make everyone, not just barely survive but thrive. I know the entrenched and entitled over the past 62 years will throw kicks, but that’s okay.

I want to see a Nigeria where I will not be afraid to ply the roads to any part of our beautifully blessed country, A country that can be fair to its citizens and uphold the rights of the oppressed, no matter what; One where our ‘young’ men and ladies alike turning 40 can be proud to plan for their future without fear; Where ethical values will be upheld and a reorientation by example can become the norm.; A country where our community responsibilities prevails. Frantic and pragmatic decisions should be made about the state of our Federation in terms of what needs to be reset and or corrected. Let us resonate HOPE again and for the right reasons!!

For historical minds, you remember in the Bible that Saul who became Paul was a persecutor of the Christians until his soul was seized by the Creator and he became the defender of good and the Christians. The same can be said in the Quran where the grandfather of the Prophet, Abdulmutalib was a non believer and a persecutor of the Muslims but changed to become a defender of the Muslims. Malcom X was a criminal who was jailed only to become the fighter for the oppressed. Many examples of leaders of history who had to go through the bad side of the people to later gain the trust of the people without fear are not farfetched.

Ahmed Tinubu can bring about these core changes and some others which I have not mentioned here! ASIWAJU, you may want to close shops and take stock of what had been purchased by you albeit humans. Kindly let’s change narratives and salvage our country! I believe you have what it takes! Political party or not! I dare say that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the best option for a United Nigeria at this point of our 62 years history as a country and he deserves our support.

Signed:

Hon Mrs Khairat Animashaun-Ajiboye.

Former Gubernatorial Aspirant

FIRSTBANK PARTNERS VERVE INTERNATIONAL, MAKES CUSTOMERS MILLIONAIRES IN THE FIRSTBANK VERVE CARD PROMO

In partnership with FirstBank – Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider – Verve International, Africa’s leading payment technology and card business, has launched its third National Consumer promo designed to reward users of FirstBank verve card with exciting gifts and cash prizes to appreciate their patronage and use of the card to carry-out their electronic banking transactions.

The ongoing 2-month promo will end on 30 October 2022 as 20 customers (10 customers per month) with the highest transaction count during the promo will be made millionaires, winning the sum of N1 million each. Also, N20,000 will be won by 25 customers monthly.

On the other hand, 2620 FirstBank verve cardholders that double their transactions every week, stand a chance to enjoy 10% cashback capped at N2,000 per customer.

Speaking on the promo Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products, FirstBank said “we appreciate our partnership with Verve Card through the years; a partnership of empowerment and opportunities which include growing the economy, supporting new businesses and preventing unemployment. FirstBank verve card holders are encouraged to keep using their cards as it is a card offering that promotes safe, convenient and rewarding digital banking experience with 20 customers standing a chance to be millionaires at the end of the promo.”

Verve card is a secure debit card that allows cardholders to conveniently meet their daily financial needs such as payment for goods and services, airtime recharge, bill payments, funds transfer, etc. Verve card is accepted across all ATMs, POS, Web and Mobile Platforms in Nigeria.

The promo is also opened to new verve cardholders as non-verve cardholders are encouraged to visit the nearest FirstBank branch today to pick up a Verve card and start getting rewarded!

Only recently, FirstBank – in partnership with Verve – rewarded over 2601 FirstBank verve cardholders with various prizes; including N20,000 cash prize, N10,000 cash prize, N10,000 worth of airtime; power generating sets, refrigerator, cooking gas, smart TV and the grand prize of a brand-new car to a lucky winner.

Drama As ‘Yahoo Boys’ Holds Matriculation Ceremony In Edo State (VIDEO)

Newslensng reports that some suspected internet fraudsters aka Yahoo Boys have expressed after their matriculation held in Edo state.

In a video shared on instagram, they were seen reciting some of their slangs while practicing their craft.

Watch Video Below

Abuja Court remands Late MKO Abiola’s Widow, Zainab in prison Over Assault On Police Orderly

The Chief Magistrate Court in Zone 6, Abuja has remanded Professor Zainab Duke Abiola in Suleja Correctional Facility over an attempt to commit culpable homicide.

The police sued the legal practitioner and human right activist with offences bordering on criminal conspiracy and causing criminal hurt without provocation and breach of trust.

The professor, who is a wife to the late MKO Abiola was arrested and arraigned in court over the assault of her orderly, Inspector Teju Moses on Tuesday.

She was said to have instructed her maids to manhandle the orderly over her refusal to execute domestic duties.

Consequently, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command in a short thread on Twitter, revealed the court’s ruling to remand the professor in the Suleja Correctional facility.

The Command disclosed that the case was adjourned to October 5 for the next hearing.

Naira Will Suffer More Depreciation When Political Campaigns Begin Next Week–Experts

Some finance and economic experts are projecting further naira devaluation as election campaigns kick-off in less than a week.

They also revealed that politicians have already begun buying dollars in bulk to fund campaigns.

The Central Bank of Nigeria sells dollars at N436 at the Investor and Importers Window for Foreign Exchange, while the Bureau De Change operators sell for N712 per dollar.

At the peer-to- peer (P2P), which provides an online platform where people can exchange currencies with one another, the currency trades at N720 per USD.

Nigeria is battling its worst dollar crunch driven by drop in oil revenues, while inflation and insecurity are scaring investors that would have injected the needed forex to turn around the economy.

Currently, Nigeria’s apex bank is pursuing $200bn non-oil remittance in the next five years through the RT200 Forex programme and has only raised $1.65bn since its launch in February.

“We are aggressively looking at non-oil exports and it is paying good dividend. Nigeria remains an investment haven based on the size and the economy in Africa and also because of the market in Nigeria,” CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele said during an investor call in New York.

But more pressing for the apex bank is the pressure that the political campaign ahead of the 2023 general elections will exert on the naira.

Campaigns will officially kick-off on September 28, 2022, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission and historical trends have shown how politicians funded campaigns with the dollar.

Alh. Shehu Jega, a forex expert and a dealer at Bani Mbaka Bureau De Change in Zone 4, Abuja told THE WHISTLER that the worst is yet to come, particularly as politicians will exchange huge amount to dollars for campaign purposes.

Jega said, “The campaign is going to influence the exchange rate because the dollar is more portable than the naira and the politicians can carry any amount without it showing.

“If you want to campaign with the naira and you know campaign in Nigeria without other currencies is impossible. So, the politicians will resort to bulk buying and hoarding of dollars so that they can fund their campaign.

“It is a usual thing. So, in whatever way, the campaign is going to influence the price of the currency more.”

He said there has been no reasonable attempt to save the naira, hence the currency will likely depreciate adding “the naira is left on its own.”

According to him, Nigeria being an import economy has seen dollar supply fall to the minimum.

Jega said, “There is bourgeois attempt to hoard the dollar. So, visually, nobody can predict the naira will rise in value.

“The trends going on now is unpredictable by anybody. You can’t exactly say this is why the naira is going down and the dollar is taking advantage. But the most important factor is that the demand is going down.”

He hinted that panic buying is also a major concern which must be addressed to save the naira.

He added, “There is a lot of panicking in the market, people are trying to maintain their economic value and as a result of that, they are resorting to buying dollars to hoard. But I don’t think there is any real attempt to devalue the naira.

“But it is devaluing and the market causing that. The price is going the way it is. Ever blessed day, the demand is going higher and it is a common knowledge that once the demand overwhelms the supply, automatically it will fall.

“People who hold dollar now are hoarding it because they are sure of their value. Those who do not have will love to have it to secure their value.”

For Kalu Aja, the large spread between CBN and BDC “Street rates indicate low volumes.”

“Keep whatever dollars you have close to you. Difficult days ahead. Nigeria needs dollars. It can’t earn enough, because she can’t protect her pipelines. It can’t borrow, because its current revenues can’t service existing debt. We need non-oil exports and remittances plus a devaluation,” he added.

How Ayu Collected One Billion From Presidential Aspirant In Lagos – WikeRivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu took money from a presidential candidate in Lagos State.
The PDP chieftain who spoke on Friday challenged Ayu to deny the claims, noting that he has evidence. Wike, however, refused to mention the individual who Ayu collected the money from.

Wike who said he was hugely pained that he was unable to win the PDP’s presidential primary and go on to battle the All Progressives Congress, APC, said the money Ayu collected did not enter PDP‘s account.

He said: “Will he deny the fact that he did not collect one billion naira from Lagos? Yes, let him deny it, I will tell him who gave him the money.

“Not Lagos state government, but someone in Lagos. The money was given to him in Lagos. He met one of the presidential aspirants and told him he was not sure state governors would want to sponsor the party.

“Let Ayu say no, I will even call some of the businessmen and how the money was arranged in Lagos. That money did not enter the account of PDP. But we are not attacking Ayu on that basis,” Wike said during an interview on Channels on Friday, Naija News reports.

Wike stressed that he has a good relationship with the party and that is why he is making sure candidates that emerge in my state win in the 2023 general elections.

Returning to the call for Ayu’s resignation, Wike said the issue as it is today is that as it is provided in the constitution of the party that there shall be zoning of party offices and elective offices.

“It is made clear and what should be and what should be done. People in the system now manipulate things and would not let the public know the truth.”

REVEALED! Professor Who Brutalised Police Orderly Is MKO Abiola’s Widow

The Nigeria Police Force has revealed the identity of the professor who brutalised her orderly in the Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as Professor Zainab Duke-Abiola.

Checks by THE WHISTLER also showed that Duke-Abiola, the Chairperson of the Akasoba Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ACPCR), is the widow of the late Chief MKO Abiola.

Information obtained from her Facebook page also described her as Her Royal Highness, The Akasoba of Kalabari.

The police in a series of tweets shared a photo showing Zainab, a legal practitioner and human rights activist, and her domestic staff writing a statement after their arrest.

The Police disclosed that the incident occurred on Tuesday following the refusal of the orderly, Inspector Teju Moses to carry out menial and domestic chores at her residence, which contravenes her professional ethics.

The statement said, “The IGP has directed the express prosecution of the arrested suspects who are currently in Police custody, as the preliminary investigation shows overwhelming evidence of culpability on the part of the Professor and her domestic staff.

“The IGP has equally tasked the investigative team to ensure that the fleeing suspect is arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.”

THE WHISTLER observed that Nigerians had demanded evidence of her arrest following the Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi’s reaction to the incident earlier on Thursday.

The PRO said, “Assault on woman police: We have arrested the woman professor and her staff since the date of the incident, the matter is getting the necessary attention it deserves. FCT Command will charge d case to court asap. It is condemned in totality. We will still update you shortly.”

But his reaction held no grounds for many Nigerians on Twitter who believed that the police should maintain its standard of transparency, since previous arrests of civilians assaulting police officers, were made public.

Zainab was shown in a viral video on Wednesday where her orderly, in a pool of blood accused her of instructing her maids to beat her up, and her men to kill her.

Background voices in the video claimed that Zainab had such impudence due to her relationship with the IGP’s family, but the police countered it.

The Police said, “It is pertinent to clarify that the suspect, Prof. Zainab, who name-drops the IGP, his family members, and other officers in the top hierarchy of the Force has no acquaintance with the Police in any form as erroneously peddled on social media.

“The Inspector-General of Police who similarly ordered the withdrawal of all Police personnel attached to the Professor expressed consternation at the fact that an individual who claims to be an advocate for Human Rights could stoop so low to violate the rights of another individual, a police officer tasked with ensuring her protection.”

Abuja Professor Arrested After Allegedly Ordering The Assault of Her Female Police Orderly {video}

A Professor has been arrested in Abuja for allegedly ordering the assault of her female police orderly.

The Professor identified as Dike Zainab of Area 11 in Abuja, reportedly ordered her maids to beat up her orderly.

Twitter user, @DejiAdesogan who shared a photo of the policewoman with a bloodied face wrote;

DISTURBING NEWS: Reports of one Prof Dike Zainab of Area 11 in Abuja who allegedly assaulted her Police Orderly & also ordered her maids to beat her up. Thorough investigation & prosecution of the culprits will serve as deterrent to others. Totally inhumane & unacceptable!!!

Nigerian Police Force spokesperson, Ademuyiwa Adejobi has now confirmed the arrest of the Professor. He also said the case will be taken to court.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1572673053179662336

Adejobi said;

Assault on woman police: We have arrested the woman professor and her staff since the date of the incident, the matter is getting necessary attention it deserves. FCT Command will charge d case to court asap. It is condemned in totality. We will still update you shortly. Tnks

We will make a press release on the case soon. Details will be provided as usual. Need to ask (her) some questions personally bef reacting. Thanks.