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We Are Improving Neighbourhoood Banking With 50,000 Agents Point Across Nigeria – Ecobank

Ecobank Nigeria says its vision to use its agency banking scheme to drive financial inclusion is fast yielding fruits as it now has over 50,000 agents locations across the country. According to the bank apart from helping to drive its financial inclusion strategy in Nigeria, the agents are empowered to create wealth and enjoy financial freedom. Head of Agency Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Olanike Kolawole, who stated this in Lagos said the customer experience is very good as customers can do simple deposit, withdrawal and transfers in their own neighbourhood rather than travel to a bank branch.

“Apart from driving financial inclusion of the unbanked and under-banked, we are improving neighbourhoood banking with our 50,000 agent points across Nigeria. The vision of the Ecobank is to use the agency banking scheme to drive entrepreneurship, provide employment opportunities and support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to contribute meaningfully to the development of nation’s economy. For us as a bank, agency banking is part of our efforts to help more Nigerians embrace entrepreneurship as best strategy to tackle poverty and address growing unemployment. We are out to empower people to create wealth and enjoy financial freedom”. She stated.

Further, she said the bank is happy with its agency banking services providers also known as our Xpress point agents, knowing they are playing a critical role in helping us reach out to the unbanked and underbanked in the society. “They are bringing more people to the banking space through their services. They carry out financial transactions on our behalf and earn commission on every transaction processed. Our services are available for sole proprietors, partnerships, co-operative societies, companies with large distribution network – like petrol stations, FMCGs, telecommunication companies, super agents, aggregators and unregistered businesses such as petty traders, hair saloon and others”.

Meanwhile, the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facilities (SANEF) in it recent report says, Ecobank Nigeria which ranked fourth out of 23 listed banks in the country in terms of agents acquired in 2021, made impressive showing in accounts opening at agency locations. SANEF is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), supported by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems (NIBSS) and Licensed Mobile Money Operators/Shared Agents. Its major role is to deepen Financial Inclusion in Nigeria; drive financial literacy and campaign awareness on financial products and services.

According to the report Nigerian banks in 2021 acquired over 441,470 agents across the regions of the country, which represents 101% of Year to date achievement against the target set for 2021. Four (4) regions achieved over 70% of Target; Northeast had 67% growth in agent acquisition despite security challenges in the region; Similarly, Southeast recorded131% growth in agent acquisition. Abuja (42%), Rivers (28%), and Lagos (57%) of the total agents deployed in Northcentral, South-south, and Southwest respectively. The Report revealed that 1.62 billion transactions valued at N30.5 trillion were carried out at agent locations, while 3.1million accounts/ wallets were opened at during the year.

‘Jagaban Looking Younger’ – Reactions Trail Tinubu’s Return To Nigeria From UK

Several reactions have trailed the return of presidential hopeful, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinibu, to the country after spending 10 days in London, United Kingdom.
Naija News reports that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) returned to the country on Sunday afternoon ahead of the party’s national convention slated for February 26.

In a post released by his media aide, Tunde Rahman said the former Lagos governor arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Rahman, while sharing a photo of his arrival on his social media page, said: “Asiwaju Tinubu on his return this evening from a trip abroad…”

Recall that Tinubu had in January declared his intention to contest in the 2023 presidential election after a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu had after consulting widely travelled to the UK in what many reports claimed was for medical vacation.

His aides however debunked such reports, stressing that the former governor was in the UK for further consultation.

However, Nigerians have taken to Twitter to drop their views regarding the return of the former Lagoa governor to the country.

See some of the reactions below:

@NamebeKC wrote: “In other climes, presidential hopefuls go back to their ancestral home for consultations. But your Lion chose to go to the UK.”

@neneaboh wrote: “The UK is now the Capital of Nigeria where consultations pertaining to Nigeria is done?
Please give us lies that make sense.”

@DrAdamuGZang wrote: “We the supporters and card-carrying members of the APC heartily welcome our leader and presidential hopeful back home.”

@steveose wrote: “What kind of consultation? Is this how this country will progress? is Nigeria capital in the UK? Please stop supporting the mortgaging of Nigeria’s future. Same way Buhari went to consult in UK in 2015 and here we are.”

@LordJayvo wrote: “Liking this new Tinubu who so ever is advising him to look smart n younger by dressing like this just to fool the youth n the citizen that he is still healthy n firm deserves chocolate. But as for me ooo, na who I go vote for I don know if u like dress like 2pas e no go shake me.”

@akhator15 wrote: “Consultations indeed. Who did he meet with? The doctors and the nurses. Did you meet with Nigerians in UK? Stop telling lies as you will be caught one day.”

@nickleke wrote: “A sartorial consultation was taken too seemingly. Pet peeve for me…the people who’re on his campaign haven’t seen fit to adjust his clothing to fitting smart wear. This isn’t Lagos PDP vs APC. Make an effort to introduce some virility into the man’s outlook. It sells.”

Source: Naija News

JUST IN: Sheikh Habeeb Al-Ilory suffers stroke, slumps during sermon in Ilorin

Sheikh Habeebullah Adam Al-Ilory, the administrator of Markaz Agege Arabic and Islamic Training Institute, Lagos, suffered a stroke during a sermon in Ilorin, Kwara State.

It was learnt that the incident happened last Thursday during the wedding ceremony of a daughter of an erstwhile Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Salhiu Modibbo Alfa Belgore.

It was gathered that Habeeb who dressed to the occasion in a white Agbada and green cap had barely started the sermon when he collapsed.

According to an eyewitness, who gave his name as Yinusa, the whole scenario lasted for about two hours after the cleric arrived at the event.

At the event, minutes before Sheikh Habeeb collapsed Per Daily Trust, Habeeb was admitted at the Stroke Unit of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH). He is currently at the place.

It is understood that he is getting better.

Woman kills husband’s nephew with knife

A 30-year-old housewife, Cynthia Olukiowu, in the Jafa Agbado area of Ogun State, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing one Habeeb Aremu, 18, a nephew of her husband, to death over a broken mirror.

The woman was arrested on Saturday by policemen attached to Agbado divisional headquarters.

It was learnt that a misunderstanding ensued between the two when a mirror being used in the house got broken and the deceased was alleged to have broken it.

The allegation sparked a heated disagreement between the deceased and the suspect, who allegedly pulled a kitchen knife and stabbed him in the neck. He slumped and died afterwards.

Police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the victim was found in a pool of blood and rushed to hospital where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

BREAKING: Senegal Beat Seven Times Champion To Lift First AFCON Trophy

Senegal have lifted their first CAF African Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt in the 2021 nations cup in Cameroon on Sunday.

Egypt, the most successful national team in the continent, lost in the final against Senegal, a side that have not won the AFCON since inception.

Senegal have made 16 appearances in the AFCON without securing the continent’s most prestigious football title.

The Pharaohs of Egypt have won seven AFCON titles.

The Lions of Teranga missed an early chance to clear the coast for their first victory in the tournament’s final.

Mohamed Abdelmonem clumsily brought down Saliou Ciss in the penalty box in the 4th minute, but Sadio Mane fluffed his penalty just minutes into the final.

The 29-year-old Liverpool star went for power with his spot kick but Egypt’s goalkeeper, Gabaski punched the ball to the corner.

Both teams were keen on winning the title with Senegal more determined to lift their first AFCON title.

The match was dragged into the extra time and saw Senegal dominate the possession and shots.

But the match was decided by penalty shootouts.

Abdelmonem missed Egypt’s second penalty, while Sarr also missed his, thereby leveling the scoreline.

Egypt’s M. Lasheen also missed his penalty giving Senegal a 4-2 lead on penalties.

Nigerians Doomed If PDP Fails To Win Presidency In 2023, Says Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has said he might contest the 2023 presidential election.

He, however, said he was now engrossed in the governorship election holding in his state ( Ekiti) on June 18 and how his candidate, who is the Peoples Democratic Party flag bearer in the poll, Bisi Kolawole would win the election.

The former governor said he had been calling aggrieved governorship aspirants of the PDP to make them to see reasons to support the party in the coming poll. He added that he called former Governor Segun Oni after the primary election but he did not pick the calls

Speaking in an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, Fayose said Bisi Kolawole is very popular and would win the coming election.

Asked if he thought the PDP could win the presidential poll in 2023, Fayose stated that things would become worse and Nigerians would be made to suffer more from the APC which had been in the saddles since 2015.

He said, “If PDP does not win the 2023 election, then Nigerians are doomed. From what I have seen since 2015, Nigerians are doomed. The kind of leadership that Nigeria has witnessed – insecurity, the economy – don’t forget that the impact of these things is more felt by the masses.

” It is the people that are at the receiving end. The cost of diesel today is about N400 per litre; during President Goodluck Jonathan’s (PDP) time, it was N140, N145. Whatever we are saying, it is either Nigerians want to remain in perpetual poverty or they save themselves. It is about Nigerians themselves.”

He also boasted that he would defeat Asiwaju Bola Tinubu if the later was picked by the All Progressives Congress to contest the presidential election in 2023 but said he was not sure if he would contest the poll.

Fayose said, “PDP government is far better than APC government in Nigeria. Would he ( Tinubu) leave the APC people and come to give me appointments or will he make me vice president, such that I work for the APC? It is not possible. Tinubu is for APC, I am for PDP. All these insinuations are just to call the dog a bad name to hang it.

“I have said it over and over, Asiwaju remains a Yoruba leader; I remain a Yoruba leader. We are in different levels of leadership. But if I am being misquoted for the fact that I said Asiwaju is a Yoruba leader, I am saying I am a Yoruba leader, but the Asiwaju in his own Yoruba leadership is in the APC; Ayo Fayose in his own leadership is in PDP.

” Who has told you that I don’t want to be President? Who has told you that if the PDP picks me that I will not defeat Asiwaju? Who has told you? You don’t know maybe I will still contest? If I come out and they zone it to South-West and they say it’s Fayose, if they pick Asiwaju, I will defeat him!”

Fayose also debunked the insinuations that he would trade away the candidate of the PDP in the June 18 governorship poll asking the people to discountenance such claims.

“You know we are politicians; we like to say things to destroy one another. I have served this state twice, if anybody should concede to anybody, it should be Fayemi conceding to me. It would not be a healthy election! What does Fayemi want to offer me? Even when I was supposed to be cowed as a sitting governor in the face of the federal might, I was never cowed; I faced the whole of them.

” Against the present APC government in Nigeria, I was and I am a major voice; nobody can take that away from me. What is in Ekiti that I will want to compromise? Is it the resources or what? What will Fayemi buy my conscience with or what will I buy Fayemi’s conscience with? If you are saying somebody is popular, there is no denying that they all know that I am on the ground.

“Let me give you an instance; the Governor of Akwa Ibom came to conduct the PDP election, he stayed in the Government House. The Deputy Governor of Taraba State came to conduct election, he stayed in the Government House, courtesy of the deputy governor, though in the APC. When the Akwa Ibom State Governor was leaving, his helicopter landed at the Government House’s helipad, and courtesy demands that as a former governor I should go and say goodbye.

” So, I went to the Government House, met Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru, who came to conduct the APC governorship election. The four of us took pictures and I was the one who posted that picture – clear conscience fears no foes. If I had hidden agenda, why did I have to post the picture? I posted the picture and I stated before the fifth columnists start their wagging, I am in the Government House of Ekiti to see off Governor Udom and I saw Governor of Jigawa there and Fayemi and we took these pictures. That shows that I know them. They ( those insinuating compromise) are cheap blackmailers,” he added.

My New Album Might Be My Last – Olamide reveals

Popular Nigerian singer, Olamide Adedeji, on Saturday disclosed that his new album is 95 percent ready.
The award-winning singer who disclosed this on his Twitter account stated that he is not sure of when he would be releasing the album.

According to Olamide, he is taking his time to ensure that his forthcoming album will be the best ever.

He further stated that the album which he dubbed, ‘Unruly’ might be his last album, but he would drop singles once a while.

Olamide wrote, “Next Album = #Unruly 95% ready. Release date = I don’t know
Taking my time to make it the best ever… probably my last album.

Though I’ll drop singles once in a blue moon when I feel like it. It’s been a mad ass run; giving albums back to back.”

Smuggling is the Mother of all Crime that Customs is Dealing with Technologically – Attah

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Colonel Hameed Ali, Rtd, is using advanced technologies to outsmart smugglers’ techniques in concealing contraband products across the borders into Nigeria.

This was the disclosure of Comptroller Joseph Attah, Customs spokesman, who played host to a team of the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, led by its President, Comrade Femi Oyewale in Abuja on Thursday, January 3.
Speaking with NAOSRE team, Attah emphasized that smuggling is a national menace which the Customs Service, under the leadership of Alli, is determined to erase from the country’s list of crimes.

Attah described smuggling as the mother of all crimes, explaining that “Smugglers are the agents responsible for the proliferation of illegal arms in the country which fuels banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.

“Also, smugglers are responsible for the preponderance of fake consumables including fake drugs in the country which partly renders health care services ineffective.

“Therefore, you can understand the reason we classify smuggling as the mother of all crimes. In carrying out their nefarious activities, they have gone sophisticated in concealing contraband goods in great measures and in several ways.“To outsmart these anti peoples’ agents and nip their operations in the bud, the Comptroller General, last year, acquired three scanners which have been deployed for use in strategic ports across Nigeria.
“We are going to have more scanners. There is synergy with other sister security agencies for effective border patrol. Customs processes are now automated because automation is the way to go in meeting revenue target and degrading smugglers,” he stated.

In addition, Attah said the Comptroller General is also concerned about the safety of its personnel in the course of duty and has procured several rugged, all-terrain operational vehicles fitted with gun turrets as well as machine guns to protect officers against smugglers onslaught.

He therefore, called on citizens to lend necessary supports by volunteering timely information to the Customs Service for effective arrest of criminals who import fake products and illegal arms.

Attah noted that Customs initiatives, over the years, would not have been successful but for media supports. He particularly applauded NAOSRE, saying “I have been following your activities and your passion for a secured Nigeria. You are a good example of how to support security agencies to achieve safer Nigeria. We are happy with NAOSRE because you share our vision for a secured Nigeria. We hope you will continue to sensitize Nigerians about the danger of smuggling,” he advised.

Earlier, in his remarks, NAOSRE President, Comrade Oyewale explained the rationale behind the visit, saying it was to thank the Comptroller General and his officers for the supports extended to the association in the past years. He promised that NAOSRE, under his leadership, will continue to render impactful media coverage to security agencies and externalize their great efforts to achieve a safer Nigeria.

Panic As Fire Guts Shops At Veritas Varsity

Students of Veritas University Abuja were thrown into panic in the early hours of Saturday, after fire razed some shops located within the boys hostel.

The incident occured in the early hours of Saturday at the campus located in Bwari Area Council of Federal Capital Territory.

The Veritas University Public Relation Officer, Evelyn Obekpa, who confirmed the incident to THE WHISTLER, said the institution received a distress call in the early hours of Saturday.

She said, “This is to react to the purported story making the round about a fire outbreak in Veritas University Abuja.

“Here is the truth. Five make-shift shops within the university campus were affected in a fire-out break at about 1am today, Saturday, 5th February 2022.

“Those shops are mostly kitchens operated by food vendors within the university. The extent of the damage is yet to be ascertained.

“The makeshifts are on the way that leads to the boys hostel, and among the shops affected is one that belongs to a bean cake seller.

“The person who fries Akara (bean cake) did not put off the fire properly and then took the wood into the shop, and that resulted to the raze. No casualty recorded so far. “

Obekpa stated that they contacted the Federal Fire Service immediately the fire was discovered, adding that the Service swiftly intervened.

The Federal Fire Service Public Relations Officer, Abraham Paul when contacted, confirmed the incident, adding that the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained.

He said, “We can confirm that we got a distress call around 1am today and we referred them to FCT Fire Service in Bwari. As to the level of damage and cause of the fire ,our investigators would hit the place and inform us after their investigation.”

Veritas University is a private institution founded by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria through a resolution given at its March 2002 meeting in Abuja.

BREAKING: Ex-Gov Oni dumps PDP for Ekiti 2022

Ahead of the June 18 governorship poll in Ekiti State, former Governor Segun Oni and first-runner up in the just-concluded governorship primaries of the opposition People’s Democratic Party(PDP) has withdrawn his membership of the PDP.

The Director of Media and Publicity of Segun Oni Movement Adebayo Jackson confirmed this to The Nation in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state on Saturday.

Oni has however not indicated the party he would be pitching tent with.

But speculations are rife that the Ex-Governor may join All Progressives Grand Alliance(AGPA) to contest the governorship poll.

Details shortly……