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With Focus on Driving Innovative Products and Services, Ecobank Nigeria Appoints New Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications

Great visions attract the best people, and so is the case at Ecobank Nigeria. The Nigerian franchise of the Pan-African financial institution is making good on its mission to empower Nigerians with all the tools to take control and make the most of their finances. With the recent revamp of its full-stack mobile banking solutions – *326#, Ecobank Mobile app, OmniLite, Omni Plus, EcobankPay and NQR, the Bank’s Marketing and Corporate Communications department is being built up to connect customers to greater value in banking and to ensure that the innovative products are effectively articulated to the public.

Led by the seasoned Pan-African financial services expert Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan, Ecobank Nigeria has been bolstering its digital capabilities and human capital with the goal of delivering optimum value for clients and shareholders across several value chains. It is in this line that Mr. Babajide Sipe was recently appointed to Head the Marketing and Corporate Communications department for Ecobank Nigeria. An experienced Marketing & Brand Manager, Mr. Sipe’s multi-faceted career, which cuts across several fields, industries and regions within the country and abroad will come to play in leading and enriching the Bank’s Marketing and Communications efforts with in-depth expertise, top-notch creativity and an extensive breadth of value-adding networks.

Under Mr. Akinwuntan, who is both the Managing Director and Regional Executive for Ecobank Nigeria, the Bank has strongly positioned itself as a key stakeholder and supporter in the growth of the real sector of the Nigerian economy. Recently, Ecobank announced that it would be empowering MSMEs with N100 Billion Naira, a special fund set aside for business growth and to reduce unemployment in Nigeria; and also the Ecobank Female Entrepreneurship Initiative (EFEI) targeted at boosting female entrepreneurship, amongst others.

Ultimately, Ecobank’s goal is to remain the go-to bank for Pan-African trade facilitation and payments. This would mean leveraging the full value of its unrivalled Pan-African footprint covering 33 African countries to create greater market access and financing opportunities. The Marketing and Corporate Communications department, under the leadership of Mr. Sipe thus has a huge task to position the Bank for the future. With the fine blend of experience, expertise and cutting-edge solutions, growth seems certain, if not near.

Fidelity Bank’s Courtesy Visit to the Office of the Senate President of Nigeria

In a bid to foster positive business relationships, Fidelity Bank makes concerted efforts aimed at collaborating with the private and public sectors. The Bank had in the past paid courtesy visits to industrialists and top government officials such as the Governors of Ogun State, Lagos State, Oyo State, Imo State and Osun State, as well as the Founder of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu.

Just recently, EXCO members of the Bank led by Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the existing relationship and support government’s economic initiatives.

L –R. Senator representing Katsina South Senatorial District, Senator Bello Mandiya; Executive Director, North, Fidelity Bank Plc, Alhaji Hassan Imam; President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, CON.; Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali- Ikpe; and Senator representing Jigawa North West Senatorial District, Senator Abdullahi Gumel when EXCO members of Fidelity Bank led by Mrs. Nneka Onyeali –Ikpe paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan…recently

Mischief-makers behind 2023 campaign posters in Abuja – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said on Monday, mischief makers were behind the 2023 presidential campaign posters featuring him and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chukwuma Soludo.

The Atiku-Soludo appeared in strategic locations in Abuja on Sunday.

Those behind the posters which appeared in several designs and colours claimed the duo possessed the required qualities to steer the country’s sinking ship to safety.

The ex-Vice President made the clarification in a statement titled: “Atiku preoccupied with helping to find solutions to Nigeria’s challenges,” signed by his Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, in Abuja.

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to reports in a section of the media of campaign posters of His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, and Prof. Charles Soludo, an aspirant in the Anambra State governorship election in parts of Abuja.

“Ordinarily, we would have ignored the reports, but for the interest of those who may be misled by the disingenuous plot.

“We know nothing about the posters or those who may have promoted it.

“It is obvious that this is a work of mischief. For the avoidance of doubt, Atiku Abubakar is of the PDP while Charles Soludo is of APGA. It is silly of anyone to attempt to drag the former Vice President into an election in Anambra which outcome will be determined by the people of the state.

“Atiku Abubakar is presently preoccupied with joining hands with other well-meaning Nigerians to help in finding solutions to the myriad of challenges plaguing our nation such as insecurity and economic downturn marked by joblessness and extreme poverty.

“That explains why last Monday, the Waziri of Adamawa commissioned the headquarters of Standard Micro Finance Bank and two manufacturing plants, promoted by him in Yola to provide much-needed jobs and opportunities.

“We wish to restate that the purported 2023 campaign posters in circulation linking Atiku to Soludo were the handiwork of mischief makers and should be ignored.”

Just In: IGP Suspends Tinted Vehicle Windscreen Permits In Nigeria

The Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba, has announced the immediate suspension of tinted vehicle windscreen permits in Nigeria.

Baba made the announcement during a meeting with senior police officers, including commissioners and DIGs from across Nigeria on Monday.

While making the announcement, the IGP reiterated that roadblocks remained prohibited in the country and warned that heads of commands must enforce it and key into the road patrol strategy as an alternative to roadblocks.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on April 6 appointed Usman Baba as acting Inspector General of Police.

His confirmation was made known during the Police Council meeting, which was presided by the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

Fear Grips Igangan Residents As Parents Storm Schools To Withdraw Children

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen invaded Igangan community on Sunday, killing more than 10 residents.

Parents on Monday afternoon stormed some schools in Iyete, Igangan and Tapa in the Ibarapa North Local Government area of Oyo state to withdraw their children.

It was gathered that news of another attack on residents of the areas by unknown gunmen got to the communities after children had arrived in their schools.

It will be recalled that unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen invaded Igangan community on Sunday, killing more than 10 residents.

Confirming the development to Saharareporters, the Elepe Tapa, leader of a community in Igangan area, Oba Titiloye Oyekanmi Sunday, said people have been running helter-skelter to ensure they took their children from schools.

“We couldn’t sleep till this morning. We just heard that those Fulani people are restrategising to attack us again but they didn’t tell us the precise time. No presence of security agencies here. We need government now,” he said.

Our correspondent learnt that Ayete, Igangan and Tapa are the major communities within Ibarapa North Local Government Area.

The Convener, Igangan Development Advocates, Mr. Oladiran Oladokun had on Sunday said one of the sons of the Seriki Fulani of Oyo state who was chased out of Igangan, Ibrahim Saliu had vowed to ensure Igangan is razed to aches.

Oladokun in a statement on Sunday said; “No state security apparatus got to us during the storm. If we had not made a little cover, perhaps Igangan would have become a dunghill of ashes.”

Oladokun therefore advocated for the relocation of the base of Amotekun Corpa in Igangan, conversion of Igangan Police outpost to headquaters, among other things as solution to the challenges facing Igangan.

He further said: “When the chips were down, our local hunters were the last man standing. Let the state via Igangan Development Advocates (IDA) get their list and use IDA to empower them with necessary logistics. We suggest that the government should relocate Amotekun base to Igangan, empower Amotekun to carry pump actions.

“It is time we deploy extreme measures for this extreme situations even if someone’s toes will be stepped on. The state is empowered to make legislation towards her security, therefore let the state flex some muscles.

“On numerous occasions, Ibrahim Seriki Saliu son kept pledging that Igangan will be raze down to ashes.

He had the audacity to proclaim this on social media as well as on radio shows, perhaps his words were taken as mere groans but local Vigilantes at Igangan kept receiving the news of impending danger.

“The state I believe thought it’s just another hype, for we notified the state of our fears on the 14th of april when covert information reached us of a meeting of the Fulani towards fulfilling their oath of allegiance towards reprisals

“Today we lick our wounds

We suffered heavy loss and casualties

The Fulani fulfilled their pledge.

I cannot say the same for those who are supposed to see to our security.”

Meanwhile SaharaReporters learnt that some of the assailants who were killed include two aides of the Seriki Fulani.

A source who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the phone said they attacked Igangan as reprissal attack to revenge on Yoruba people.

“People recognised one of the four assilants killed by hunters as an aide to the Seriki Fulani. We know he was behind the attack. We are ready for them. Let them come now. Our people including the elders are not sleeping again. We don’t want any Fulani and their herds in Ibarapa land again,” he said.

BREAKING: FG gives condition to Reverse Twitter ban

The Nigerian Government has stated that it will only lift the ban on Twitter if the social media platform is used ‘responsibly’.

Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama disclosed that Twitter’s operations in Nigeria will be restored only if the platform can be used ‘responsibly.’ He said this at a meeting with some envoys from UK, US and other countries on Monday.

He added that there was no definite timeline for when the ban will be reversed. “The condition would be responsible use of the social media and that really has to be it.”

“We are not saying that Twitter is threatening the country or any such thing; why we have taken this measure is to stop them to be used as platforms for destabilisation and facilitation of criminality or encouragement of criminalities,”.

Nigeria made headlines all over the world last week when Twitter’s activities in Nigeria were suspended by the government. The suspension came a day after the micro-blogging platform deleted a tweet from President Muhammadu Buhari’s account.

Twitter Ban: “You could have handled it a lot better” – Sanwo-Olu Scolds FG

Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwoolu has expressed his views on the current suspension of twitter’s activities in Nigeria by the Nigerian government.

Sanwo-Olu, in a recent interview with Arise TV, explained that dialoguing with Twitter would have been better than an outright ban because of the economic implications of the move. In his words;

“The Federal government can handle this a lot better. Because of the number of eCommerce, the number of youths doing digital stuff on the internet, and we cannot throw that away and say it’s not happening.

“I believe there could be a lot of restraint and better management from both sides,”

It will be recalled that last week, the Nigerian government through its Minister of information, Lai Mohammed ordered the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC to order all telcos to block access to Twitter. The directive was issued a day after the social media giant deleted President Muhammadu Buhari’s tweet citing ‘genocidal’ violence against the Igbos.

Sanwo-Olu further argued; “On both sides, there are issues that can be resolved between Twitter and the government and I think what they’ve done is not a ban but a suspension like they said, so in the period of suspension let us sit down.”

“If we have 40 million users of that micro-blogger and another country has five million and they chose to take their investment to a country that have five million compared to a country with 40 million. It speaks to the reason we need to have that conversation with them.” he said.

‘Ronaldo won’t be Part of My Plan in 2021/2022 Season’ – Allegri Names Two Replacements

Returning Juventus manager, Max Allegri, does not want Cristiano Ronaldo to be part of his 2021/2022 squad, according to Corriere della Sera.

Instead, the Italian tactician has identified two players who can replace him.

One of these is Dusan Vlahovic. The Fiorentina player emerged as one of the surprise packages of the Serie A last campaign.

Allegri’s other target is reportedly Mauro Icardi, who currently plays at Paris Saint-Germain.

Icardi could come back to the Italian topflight, where he enjoyed the most success.

Ronaldois still contracted to Juventus until 2022, but is being linked with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

‘Deactivate your Twitter accounts or Risk sanction’ – NBC Orders TV, Radio Stations

All television and radio stations operating in Nigeria have been directed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to deactivate their Twitter accounts or risk being sanctioned.

The order was given by the regulatory agency of the broadcast industry in the country in a circular issued on Monday by the Director-General of the NBC, Mr Armstrong Idachaba.

In the statement, the NBC chief said broadcast stations still using Twitter after the federal government suspended operations of the famous micro-blogging platform in the country, were disobeying the government.

The regulator said it particularly is not happy that TV and radio stations in Nigeria were still using Twitter as a source of information gathering for news and programmes presentation, especially phone-in.

It directed those still doing this to desist from it or be punished, emphasising that their Twitter handles should be deactivated.

“Consequent on the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria by the federal government over the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining the corporate existence of Nigeria, the National Broadcasting Commission directs all broadcasting stations in Nigeria to suspend the patronage of Twitter immediately.

“In compliance to the above directive, broadcasting stations are hereby advised to de-install Twitter handles and desist from using Twitter as a source (UGC) of information gathering for news and programmes presentation, especially phone-in.

“Section 2(1) r of the NBC Act entrusts the commission with the responsibility to ensure strict adherence to the national laws, rules and regulations.

“Also, section 3.11.2 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code provides that ‘the broadcaster shall ensure that law enforcement is upheld at all times in a matter depicting that law and order are socially superior to or more desirable than crime and anarchy.

“Attention is also drawn to section 5.6.3 of The Code which requires broadcasters to be mindful of materials that may cause disaffection, incite to panic or rift in the society in the use of a user-generated content (UGC).

“Note that it will be unpatriotic for any broadcaster in Nigeria to continue to patronise the suspended Twitter as a source of its information, therefore, strict compliance is enjoined,” the full statement read.

Recall that last Friday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, announced that operations of the US-based firm were prohibited in Nigeria indefinitely.

This action was taken after the company pulled down a tweet of President Muhammadu Buhari for violating one of its rules.

On Saturday, GSM network providers were ordered to block their subscribers’ access to the platform and Nigerians bypassed this using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

This angered the federal government and the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Abubakar Malami, said anyone using Twitter after the ban would be prosecuted.

USSD Charges: Banks commence N6.98 deductions

Customers of several banks have been informed that they will be charged N6.98 for each USSD transaction.

Excessive bank charges, on the other hand, may constitute a threat to financial inclusion, according to experts.

According to them, it will promote cash transactions because many bank clients would avoid using the USSD for transactions, and it would discourage the unbanked sector of the population from paying such fees on their little deposits.

A message from some of the banks, including Guaranty Trust Bank, First Bank and Fidelity Bank on ‘Update on USSD transactions’ stated, “Please be informed that you are now required to pay a fee of N6.98 to your mobile network provider for every banking transaction carried out on all USSD banking platforms.

“This means that when you send money to anyone using USSD, a fee of N6.98 will be charged to your bank account, which is in turn remitted in full by your bank, to your mobile network provider.

“Please note that airtime and data purchases via USSD are exempt from this charge on USSD platforms.”

To avoid paying the costs, the banks advised consumers to use other electronic transactions accessible at the banks.

Dr. Sam Nzekwe, a former President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, warned that too frequent bank changes were detrimental to the financial inclusion push, particularly for unbanked Nigerians.

He said people would prefer to walk into the banking hall to make payments.

“There are many charges that the banks charge the customers, even if you don’t do any transaction. Some of these informal sectors will start running away because they cannot understand the many charges. That is why many of the informal sector still do their transactions by cash.

“What an average customer wants is to show me why you should charge me. But you are charging me for many things and at the end of the month you will still charge me again.”

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