Heritage Bank, Delta State rev-up creative sector for economic growth
…Omu Anioma unveils local fabrics ‘Akwa Ocha’
Heritage Bank Plc, Nigeria’s Most Innovative Service provider has collaborated with Delta State to make the creative and entertainment industry mainstay of revenue generation that will stimulate sustainable growth to the nation’s economy.
This was disclosed when the Omu Anioma and Nneoha, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu unveiled the Anioma eternal native attire, “Akwa Ocha” to the Entertainment world during the Delta Music, Comedy and Fashion Expo held at the Dome Event Centre, Asaba, Delta State. Meanwhile, during a contest for best dancers dressed in Akwa-Ocha, organized by 2Things Promotion and prize money guaranteed by Heritage Bank Ynspyre Account, the 1st Prize winner, Friday Nkechi received N250,000, whilst Opene-Terry Joseph and Usanga Joseph as the 2nd and 3rd winners carted away N150,000 and N100,000, respectively
The MD/CEO of the bank, Ifie Sekibo, in his remarks said the partnership is in line with its culture as timeless wealth partners which has continued to impact positively on the nation’s socio-economic development.
“The Akwa Ocha fabric Industry, Entertainment and Creative Industry that Delta State is known for, may be the revenue base of the State Government beyond Oil. Heritage Bank is always available and ready to partner with the State and players in the industry to achieve Delta beyond Oil,” he said.
According to him, the music and entertainment industry has done so much for Nigeria in terms of employment and foreign exchange earnings and if more resources could be put into it, the country would be better for it.
Sekibo who was represented by the Ag. Group Head, South-South 2/ECM, Charles Ojakovo affirmed that the bank would continue to support initiatives that have to do with sustainable growth, adding that the bank has always supported the Entertainment and Creative Industry.
“This Industry over the years has had a huge impact on our GDP and engaging a very large number of our youths thereby reducing the level of unemployment.
“Akwa ocha is an Anioma Heritage and our Heritage, and there is need to take it to the next level and international standards, as a hub to orchestrate economic growth,” he noted.
He further explained that Heritage Bank’s various entrepreneural schemes in support of business had always focused on dependable job-creating sectors, such as agricultural value chain (fish farming, poultry, snail farming), cottage industry, mining and solid minerals, creative industry (tourism, arts, and crafts), and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
HRM Dunkwu commended Heritage Bank for its partnership with the organizers of the event for factoring a concept that introduces the Akwa Ocha fabric into fashion shows.
She emphasized how impressed she was at the beautiful appearance of all the models who were gorgeously dressed in the attire in such a dignified and holy exhibition.
Omu Dunkwu said she couldn’t have been more excited having been chosen as the one to do the unveiling of the Akwa Ocha for which she had devoted over a decade to promoting in line with propagating the unique identity and values of the Anioma people of Delta State.
Dunkwu affirmed that there was no fabric like the Akwa Ocha all over the world, which is why different people of the world are coming to identify with the source of the captivating attire – Anioma land.
The cerebral Queen Mother of the Anioma nation advised that conscious effort be made to market the brand by the younger generation who are willing to go into fashion business, maintaining that Akwa Ocha fabric could be money spinning venture if well packaged because of its unique and attractive features.
Seventy-five inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Ibara Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Old Abeokuta, Ogun State, have become Ministers of God after bagging Diploma certificates in Theology.
It was gathered that the inmates have undergone a six-month training at the seminary, geared towards reforming and rehabilitating them.
The programme had the combined efforts of other Ministers of God who repeatedly visited the yard to teach the graduating students.
At the graduation ceremony held within the premises of the custodial centre, the National Director of the project, Dr Olamide Emmanuel, said the event was an effort to reform and rehabilitate criminated minds.
“We combined efforts with some men of God to work at the custodial centre here. We have about 75 of them who have distinguished themselves to serve God. Some of them have been released and they have started work outside. The programme is in three stages and it’s already a year today.
“We discovered that many leave this place destitutely with nothing to fall back on. They are castigated outside, they are stigmatised. But, through the help of Ministers of God, we built their psyche so that they will know this is not the end of life, better things are there for them outside,” he said.
Dr Emmanuel disclosed that the third stage of the programme would produce graduates with Bachelor’s degrees in Theology, saying, “We have those who are qualified for that already.”
The Deputy Controller of Corrections, Oshin Bamidele, who is in charge of the Ibara Maximum Security Custodial Centre, held that the duty of correctional officers is to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate.
“As correctional officers, our mandate is to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate back into the society. We achieve this through educational programmes and religious activities. These are 75 inmates who have gone through theological school known as seminary. We have seen very radical changes in them,” Oshin said, appreciating the NCoS Controller General, Haliru Nababa for giving them the opportunity to impact the lives of the inmates.
Speaking with newsmen, the Social Welfare Officer of the centre, AbdulAkeem Awesu, said, “Today we are graduating 75 of our Christian inmates who have distinguished themselves in the school of seminary. This programme is under the religious education for the inmates. They will be awarded diploma.”
According to him, the training was not just to train pastors, but for moral modification, spiritual attention and protection
“This goes beyond being a pastor. It has to do with moral modification, spiritual attention and protection, as well as inculcating discipline and the word of God into them. Being a pastor is a thing of choice, but they have undergone process of reformation and rehabilitation. My advice for them is to keep it up,” Awesu said.
In their separate remarks, a male and female graduand (names withheld) explained that they have been reformed spiritually and physically by the training programme, thanking the organisers.
The graduands appealed to youths to give their lives to Christ, saying that is the only way to live a life of holiness and righteousness.
“If you don’t have Jesus in your life, you will be living a life of crisis,” they admonished.
In order not to end up in jail, the inmates advised youths to obey all rules and regulations and accept Jesus as their personal Lord and saviour. Continue Reading
A group of young men who said they are Niger Delta ex-agitators have released a video where they promised to work for and “deliver” for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and an aspirant in the 2023 presidential election.
In the 1 minute 17 seconds video, the armed men were on the water. All of them were masked and apparently understands the terrain of the water.
It is not yet clear when and where exactly the video was made.
“2023, we the Niger Delta, the ex-agitators , from Akwa Ibom, Rivers State, Cross River, down to Bayelsa, to Delta, and Ondo State, and Edo State, we, the person ‘wey we wan work for’ we deliver from the coastal line, na the person of Ahmed Bola Tinubu. ‘Na him we wan work for’. We go deliver. If Asiwaju leads, we follow,” one of the masked men said.
Not less than 10 Northern States will receive bags of rice for sallah celebration as free gifts from frontline aspirant for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Bola Tinubu.
Sallah celebration culminates a month-long fasting of Muslims where the faithful engage in intense prayer for the remission of sin.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State (1999-2007), is known for sharing foods and other items during Muslim periods of celebration and like other politicians usually dole out foods and items during political campaign.
According to aides, not less than 10 states in the North of Nigeria will benefit from this largesse with each state billed to receive 3,000 bags of rice.
Already, Nasarawa State, where the party’s National Chairman, Mr Abdullahi Adamu, comes from has received its share on Friday with 3,000 shared across the state for the Sallah feast.
Some states billed to receive the bags of rice are Katsina, where the President, Mr Muhammadu Buhari comes from, Kebbi, where the Chairman of APC governors’ forum, Mr Atiku Bagudu comes from, Yobe where the former caretaker Committee of the APC, Mai Mala Buni comes from and Kaduna State, one of the states with the highest voters in the north.
However, an aide told THE WHISTLER “the bags of rice are basically for Holy month of Ramadan and not for political reasons.”
Tinubu, who was represented by the Nasarawa State Coordinator of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Yusuf Omaki, while distributing the bags in Lafia, urged the beneficiaries not to sell the rice but to use it for the purpose it was meant for.
He said it was a gesture that was aimed at improving on their standard of living.
“This gesture is to provide succour to the people, especially the less privileged in Nasarawa State, ahead of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
“I want to also use this opportunity to call on all Nigerians to scout out for competent leaders ahead of next year’s general election so as to curb the socio-economic challenges undermining the development of the country.
“So, I am soliciting the support of the APC members and all Nigerians to enable me succeed in my presidential ambition.
“The 3,000 bags of rice allocated to Nasarawa State would be distributed to socio-cultural organisations, religious bodies, professional groups and the APC party stalwarts.”
It could be recalled Tinubu had distributed specially branded bags of rice in Kano in 2021 and followed that up with further distribution in Lagos, Katsina and other parts of Northern Nigeria.
Former governor of Edo state Adams Oshiomhole has spoken on his purported 2023 presidential aspiration.
Recall that it was earlier reported that the former governor had stated on Facebook that he would be declaring on national TV.
The post had read: “Special Invitation. Dear Sir/Madam.
“I wish to specially invite you to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s public declaration to contest for the office of President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the 2023 general election, under the platform of the APC.”
Social media invites had also being sent to some journalists and other stakeholders on Friday morning, asking them to attend Oshiomhole’s presidential declaration at the Federal Capital Territory FCT Council for Arts and Culture in Area 10, Abuja.
Posters of the former labor leader also lined major streets.
Some of his supporters who visited the venue were however told that the event would no longer hold.
When Vanguard contacted the former governor he said: “it must be a mistake”, adding, “I will not declare on the pages of Newspapers. If I will declare, it will be to people”.
President Muhammadu Buhari will receive visitors for this year’s Sallah homage at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
This was confirmed in a statement made available to our newsroom on Friday evening by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
According to the presidential spokesperson, the traditional Sallah homage was cut off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant risks.
But now with infection rates at a very low rate and still falling, there would be a controlled return to the pre-COVID practice of receiving Sallah visitors.
The presidential media aide however pointed out that all those who have been identified and received invitation as part of those to be part of the Sallah visit to the President must undergo the linear Covid-19 test at the State House Conference Centre and obtain a negative test result before they can be admitted to the actual venue which is the State House Banquet Hall.
He added in the statement that it is compulsory for the about 100 persons invited to use face masks at the event.
“Two years after the world’s biggest lockdown to slow the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional Sallah homage to the President by the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja returns to the Aso Rock Villa,” Shehu said.
He added in the statement that “Although this is a sign of the return to normalcy as infection rates fall to their lowest, those coming on invitation are still required to wear face masks and undergo the linear Covid-19 test at the State House Conference Centre to obtain a negative test result as condition for admittance to the event.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is set to receive the visitors, numbering about 100 at the New State House Banquet Hall at 3:00pm on Sallah Day (Sunday or Monday), itself to be determined by moon sighting to be announced by Islamic authorities in the country.
“Invited Guests for the event, led by Muhammed Musa Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Head of Service, the Senator and House members from the territory, leadership of the FCT Judiciary, Members of the Cabinet, Service Chiefs and heads of security agencies, Muslim and Christian leaderships in the FCT, Council Chairmen, Traditional Rulers and others who received invitations as listed on the manifest.”
Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday in Abuja purchased the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC’s) nomination and declaration of interest forms for the 2023 presidential election.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that some of Tinubu’s close associates including House of Representatives member from Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke; member representing Agege Federal Constituency in the green chamber, Babatunde Adejare; and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, represented the former Lagos State Governor at the APC National Headquarters. Tinubu is presently in Saudi Arabia, performing the Islamic lesser hajj.
Award winning Nigerian singer Damini Ogulu, professionally known as Burna Boy, has been blessed by a female fan underwear as he performed at his ‘One Night In Space’ concert in Madison Square Garden, New York.
The Afrobeat singer is seen holding a red brassiere as he performs in the concert.
He goes ahead to thank the fan who gave it to him while asking that they give him more of their lingerie.
Accepting his demands, some female fans went ahead to hand him more brassiere.
Burna Boy is the first Nigerian artiste to headline New York’s prestigious Madison Square Garden which has a seating capacity of 20,789.
Burna recently opened up on the reason he believes no woman is capable of loving him.
The singer expressed his love for his grandmother via his Twitter account maintaining that she is the reason he believes no woman is capable of loving him.
“She’s the reason I don’t believe any girl loves me.
“My Everything!! She is probably the reason I don’t believe any girl loves me. I know what true love feels like.. Grandma’s Love,” he wrote in a tweet.
ZENITH BANK REMAINS NIGERIA’S BEST BANK BACK-TO-BACK FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS IN THE GLOBAL FINANCE BEST BANKS AWARDS 2022
Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance Magazine’s Best Banks Awards 2022, retaining the award for a third consecutive year. The Bank was among other banks from 36 countries in Africa recognised as the prestigious Global Finance announced its 29th Annual Best Bank Awards Winners.
The editors of Global Finance made the selections after extensive consultations with corporate financial executives, bankers and banking consultants, and analysts worldwide. Global Finance considered factors that ranged from the quantitative objective to the informed subjective in selecting the top banks. Objective criteria considered included: growth in assets, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development and innovation in products. Subjective criteria included the opinions of equity analysts, credit rating analysts, banking consultants and others involved in the industry.
Commenting on the award, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu said: “This award is a testament to our tenacity despite a very challenging macroeconomic environment. Indeed, being recognised, for the third consecutive year, is an acknowledgement of the resilience of the Zenith brand as the leading financial institution in Nigeria.” He lauded the contributions and efforts of the Bank’s key stakeholders – the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CON, for his pioneering role in building the structures and laying the foundation for an enduring and successful institution, the Board for the outstanding leadership they provide, the staff for their commitment and dedication as well as the Bank’s customers for their unwavering loyalty and support.
Global Finance’s “Best Banks Awards” are recognised amongst the world’s most influential banking/finance and corporate professionals as the most coveted and credible awards in the banking industry, with winners chosen in 150 countries and territories across Africa, AsiaPacific, the Caribbean, Central America, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and Western Europe.
Founded in 1987, Global Finance regularly selects the top performers among banks and other financial services providers, and the awards have become a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community. Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance, said: “With the financial world in a state of turmoil from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, corporate leaders face a new set of challenges concerning the choice of their banking relationships.” According to him, “following on the enormous difficulties wrought by the pandemic, these changes demand increased attention to global commercial relationships. Our awards support decision-makers in selecting the best financial partners.”
Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has earned the brand numerous awards, including being voted as Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria in the World Finance Banking Awards 2021, Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020, and Best in Corporate Governance ‘Financial Services’ Africa 2020 and 2021 by the Ethical Boardroom. Also, the Bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in the “2021 Top 1000 World Banks” Ranking by The Banker Magazine and the Retail Bank of the year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards 2020 and 2021.
Similarly, Zenith Bank was honoured as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020 and emerged winner in four categories at the Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2021, carting home the awards for “Best Company in Reporting and Transparency”, “Best Company in Infrastructure Development”, “Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”, and the coveted “Most Responsible Organisation in Africa.
