First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s leading financial inclusion services provider is rewarding customers with N5 for every dollar received through foreign remittances. This N5 for a dollar incentive is paid to FirstBank’s customers regardless of their preference to collect the USD as cash across the counter in any of the Bank’s over 750 branches nationwide or as transfer into the customers domiciliary accounts.
The reward to customers is in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ‘Naira 4 Dollar scheme’, driven to promote diaspora remittances into the country. For example, a customer that receives 10,000 USD, gets N50,000.00 as reward. The scheme runs from Monday, 8 March – Saturday, 8 May 2021.
Speaking on the initiative, FirstBank’s CEO, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan said “at FirstBank, we are pleased to participate in the CBN’s ‘Naira 4 Dollar scheme’ as it will contribute to deepening financial inclusion in Nigeria. Indeed, it’s an activity we are pleased to lead, whilst promoting access to funds across the nooks and crannies of the country in almost 127 years of our existence.
We are delighted to be a gateway to promoting dollar remittances into the country and we encourage our customers, their loved ones and friends to use our international money transfer services which would enable them to enjoy the rewards of this promo, sustaining the increase in inflows of diaspora remittances into Nigeria consequently help in poverty reduction, income redistribution and enhancement of economic growth” he concluded.
FirstBank pioneered international funds transfer and remittances over 25 years ago and has been at the forefront of promoting cross border payments in the country, having started the journey with Western Union Money Transfer. The Bank’s wealth of experience and operation in over 750 locations nationwide gives it the edge in the market.
Only recently, the Bank launched the First Global Transfer (FGT) product to promote international transfer of funds across its subsidiaries in sub-Saharan Africa. The Bank’s subsidiaries in Africa include FBNBank DRC, FBNBank Ghana, FBNBank Gambia, FBNBank Guinea, FBNBank Sierra-Leone, FBNBank Senegal.
First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider, has announced its SME specific accounts designed to reinforce the Bank’s role in putting SME’s at an advantage whilst contributing to national growth and development.
The SME accounts – which are in two variants – FirstSME Classic and FirstSME Deluxe – are offered to SMEs, irrespective of industry, and tailored to have SMEs exposed to a wide range of services and opportunities that are essential for their continued growth and role in contributing to national development. The advantages and features of these accounts include; access to Temporary OverDrafts (TODs)and other facilities subject to meeting Risk Adjustment Capital (RAC) of each product; immediate enrollment on all digital platform; free access to FirstBank SME events; free access to extensive business promotional and networking opportunities on the SMEConnect portal; access to a wide range of discounted and promotional offers.
Amongst the many opportunities available to holders of FirstSME account is the SMEConnect initiative of FirstBank which is a platform through which SMEs access the Bank’s unique propositions that will equip them with the essential tools needed for the growth of their business. The SMEConnect portal is also designed to help SMEs identify various gaps that hinder their business growth. With FirstBank’s over 126 years of impacting the economy, the Bank’s SME innovative Business Diagnostics Tool will also help proffer tailored solutions, whilst creating avenues for business improvement, profitability and sustainability.
Following extensive research by the Bank, 7 strategic pillars have been considered essential for the sustainability and growth of SMEs. The 7 pillars – connect to infrastructure, connect to talent, capacity building, connect to policy and regulation, connect to resources, connect to market as well as connect to finance.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, “FirstBank is delighted to unlock several opportunities for SMEs to thrive. Our FirstSME account is one of the numerous opportunities designed to empower SMEs to continually drive impact as the backbone and contributors to employment and economic growth.
Being woven into the fabric of the society for close to 127 years means that we remain at the forefront of providing the desired financial products and services to fit the needs unique to the SMEs as well as facilitating the requisite tools and resources to efficiently and effectively drive business sustainability and expansion strategies essential to taking SMEs to the next level”
As the 2021 International Women’s Day (IWD21) calls on people and organisations to #choosetochallenge for a better world for women, Guaranty Trust Bank plc (GTBank) has launched an initiative, tagged #GiveHerBetaHealth, to draw attention to the need for universal essential healthcare coverage, especially for women in the informal sector. Through the initiative, the leading African financial institution is providing 1000 self-employed women with BetaHealth for a year, at no cost.
Launched in 2020, BetaHealth is a low-cost healthcare package that provides coverage for essential health services such as malaria treatments, pre and postnatal care, accidents and medical emergencies as well as life insurance, all at a subscription fee of N500 per month. Offered through more than 1000 hospitals and pharmacies nationwide, BetaHealth also provides a telemedicine service that allows the user to speak with a Doctor over the phone anytime, anywhere.
With the #GiveHerBetaHealth campaign, the Bank is calling on the general public to nominate 1000 women who will be given free BetaHealth coverage for a year. To nominate a woman, visit
#GiveHerBetaHealth is the latest in a long line of GTBank initiatives that reflects the Bank’s commitment to extending access to critical services for everyone, irrespective of their social or economic background. The campaign focuses on empowering self-employed women in the informal sector, many of who have limited or no access to financial services and health insurance. With this campaign, the Bank is putting a spotlight on the need for universal access to essential healthcare services that is affordable for every working Nigerian, and accessible across the country.
BetaHealth is available for everyone. To buy BetaHealth for yourself or someone else, simply dial *737*52*500*50# from your mobile phone.
Ecobank is implementing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s scheme which offers N5 for every Dollar received into domiciliary accounts or as cash over the counter. Korede Demola-Adeniyi; Head, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, who announced this in Lagos stated that the decision is in line with the CBN’s directive and fully aligns with efforts to encourage the inflow of diaspora remittances into the country. She noted that the “CBN Naira 4 Dollar scheme” is an unprecedented incentive for senders and recipients of international money transfers.
Korede Demola-Adeniyi said that the scheme takes effect from 8th March and will run till 8th May, 2021. “Ecobank will pay N5 on every Dollar so beneficiaries will not only get the foreign currency sent from their family and friends abroad, they will also get extra Naira”, she stated.
Only recently, Ecobank had a first of its kind virtual Diaspora Summit to discuss opportunities for Nigerians living abroad and the various platforms available to assist them with their investment decisions and remittance needs. The event had major players in the remittance space, diaspora audience, government officials and notable stakeholders in attendance.
Further, the Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan has disclosed that apart from consistent engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora, Ecobank is leveraging its digital technology to make remittances to Nigeria and Africa easy, convenient and affordable.
Mr. Akinwuntan stated that growing evidence has shown a positive relationship between diaspora remittances and economic growth. “Ecobank will continue to pursue its mandate of helping to enhance the economic development and integration of Africa, through the 33 countries where the bank operates on the continent. Ecobank’s Rapidtransfer and mobile app (Ecobank Mobile) enable Africans, wherever they are, to easily and instantly send money to bank accounts, mobile wallets and agent locations across 33 African countries”, he stated.
Ecobank Nigeria, a member of the Pan African Banking Group is committed to supporting Africans in the diaspora by providing advisory services, remittance solutions, investment options and financial planning schemes. The bank also offers mortgages, treasury bills, capital market instruments, among others.
Israel Adesanya’s meteoric rise to UFC superstardom hit a rather large obstacle Saturday night. Jan Blachowicz beat the previously undefeated Adesanya by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-45, 49-45) to retain his light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 259.
Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion, was attempting to become just the fifth fighter in UFC history to hold two titles concurrently.
The story of the fight leading in was that Blachowicz would have a significant size advantage. Adesanya weighed 200.5 pounds at Friday’s weigh-in, 4.5 pounds under the 205-pound limit for a light heavyweight title fight. Blachowicz weighed 205 pounds and said he planned on competing Saturday at 220 pounds. Adesanya, who typically competes in the 185-pound division, likely didn’t gain much weight from weigh-ins, meaning Blachowicz would be about 20 pounds heavier in the Octagon.
That size paid dividends for Blachowicz. The Polish fighter took over the fight late with big takedowns in the fourth and fifth rounds. Adesanya seemed to be building some momentum in the fourth when Blachowicz exploded in for a double-leg takedown. Both times, Adesanya could not get up. While Blachowicz didn’t do a ton of damage on the mat, he held Adesanya there very effectively and sprinkled in some punches.
As the clock was expiring to end the fight, Blachowicz finally landed some hard hammerfists and advanced into full mount. The final flurry all but sealed the bout.
Coming in, ESPN had Adesanya ranked the No. 4 pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world. Adesanya is ranked No. 1 at middleweight, while Blachowicz is ranked No. 2 at light heavyweight, behind only all-time great Jon Jones, who is currently moving up to heavyweight.
UFC 259 took place with COVID-19 protocols in place inside the UFC Apex, a facility across the street from the promotion’s corporate campus.
Blachowicz (28-8) has won five in a row. The Poland native won the vacant UFC light heavyweight title by beating Dominick Reyes by second-round TKO at UFC 253 last September. Blachowicz, 38, has won nine of 10 fights overall and has had a pretty incredible late-career surge. He has been a pro since 2007 and was the light heavyweight champion of his home country’s KSW promotion in 2011.
Adesanya (20-1), a former champion kickboxer, won his first nine fights in the UFC before Saturday. The Nigeria-born New Zealand resident is coming off a second-round TKO over Paulo Costa at UFC 253, in the headlining fight of the card in which Blachowicz won the light heavyweight title. The flashy Adesanya, 31, has 15 knockouts in 20 career wins and has been UFC middleweight champion since October 2019.
Blachowicz cashed as a plus-210 underdog and him winning by decision was plus-700, per Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill.
The UN says it has not received any evidence from the United Arab Emirates that Dubai’s Princess Latifa is still alive, a fortnight after seeking proof. The United Nations Human Rights Office asked for evidence that the daughter of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum was still alive after a video shot by the princess was broadcast by the BBC.
“We raised our concerns about the situation in light of the disturbing video evidence that emerged this week,” Liz Throssell, spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said at the time.
“We have asked for a proof of life – we have asked for further information.”
In the video, Princess Latifa, now 35-years-old, said she was being held captive in a “villa jail” in Dubai and that she feared for her life.
A spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Rupert Colville said: ”We’ve held discussions with representatives of the UAE government here in Geneva, but I don’t have any particular progress to report.”
He said that proof of life of the princess had “not yet” been received.
In February, a statement sent by the United Arab Emirates embassy in London from Princess Latifa’s family insisted she was “being cared for at home.”
Also in February, a handwritten letter from 2019, which was only given to police by the princesses friends last month, was revealed.
In the letter, Princess Latifa urged British police to reinvestigate the disappearance of her sister, Shamsa, who was was kidnapped on the orders of their father after fleeing the family’s estate in Surrey over two decades ago.
The letter, which was received by Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: “All I ask of you is to please give attention on her case because it could get her freedom … your help and attention on her case could free her. She has strong links to England … she really loves England, all of her fondest memories are of her time there.”
It is understood Shamsa fled the family’s Longcross Estate in Surrey. Shamsa was forcibly taken, flown by helicopter to France and by private jet back to Dubai.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has announced the handball law will be changed from July 1. The decision was reached at the AGM of football’s lawmakers on Friday following a season of confusion and VAR controversy.
The main change to the law, which will come into effect on July 1, is that accidental handball that leads to a team-mate scoring a goal or having a goal-scoring opportunity will no longer be considered an offence.
This amendment means Fulham’s disallowed goal against Tottenham on Thursday night when Josh Maja’s effort was ruled out when the ball hit the hand of team-mate Mario Lemina from a Davinson Sanchez clearance would have stood.
Lawmakers ruled that not every touch of a player’s hand or arm with the ball is an offence. In terms of the issue of the hand or arm making a player’s body “unnaturally bigger”, it was confirmed that referees should continue to use their judgment in determining the validity of the hand or arm’s position in relation to the player’s movement in that specific situation.
Following this clarification, it was decided that it is a handball if a player deliberately touches the ball with their hand, for example moving the hand towards the ball, or touches the ball with the hand or arm after making their body unnaturally bigger.
IFAB says competitions will retain the flexibility to introduce changes prior to the July 1 date, although the English and Scottish FAs have confirmed their competitions will adopt the changes from next season.
The new handball law in full
It is a handball offence if a player:
deliberately touches the ball with their hand/arm, for example moving the hand/arm towards the ball;
touches the ball with their hand/arm when it has made their body unnaturally bigger. A player is considered to have made their body unnaturally bigger when the position of their hand/arm is not a consequence of, or justifiable by, the player’s body movement for that specific situation. By having their hand/arm in such a position, the player takes a risk of their hand/arm being hit by the ball and being penalised; or
scores in the opponents’ goal:
– directly from their hand/arm, even if accidental, including by the goalkeeper; or
– immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental.
Accidental handball that leads to a team-mate scoring a goal or having a goal-scoring opportunity will no longer be considered an offence.
FIFA to test Wenger’s offside proposal
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also confirmed IFAB will be looking to conduct trials over a new interpretation of the offside rule proposed by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Wenger, now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, wants to introduce fresh criteria whereby if any part of an attacker’s body is onside, he will be deemed as being onside.
“We will test a potential change to the offside law,” Infantino said. “Our aim as IFAB is always to see if we can make football more attractive, without changing its nature.
“We have seen, maybe, we can think about a new law which allows a bit more attack in football. Arsene Wenger presented to us this morning what this could look like.”
Infantino highlighted research presented by the Premier League where, if Wenger’s interpretation would be applied, an average of two out of four offsides per game would not be judged as offsides.
IFAB have yet to provide further details on trial dates and countries to be involved but confirmed to Sky Sports News that FIFA is planning ontesting the proposals on a smaller scale first.
“It’s not a preferred solution, but a possible solution. It’s an interesting idea which will be looked at carefully,” said David Elleray, IFAB technical director.
Drake has fuelled rumours he had an affair with reality star Kim Kardashian in lyrics from his latest single – and fans are going wild on social media. The Canadian rapper, 34, appeared to throw shade at fellow musician Kanye in his new track Wants and Needs, amid the couple’s ongoing divorce.
Seemingly referencing Kanye, 43, in the song, he states in the lyrics: “Yeah, I probably should go link with Yeezy, I need me some Jesus / But soon as I started confessin’ my sins, he wouldn’t believe us.”
Both rappers have butted heads in the past, with their feud going all the way back to 2018. And it appears Drake has taken it one step further this time with his most recent cryptic lyrics.
He doesn’t appear to mention Kim’s name in the song, but that didn’t stop fans speculating about the rumoured ‘affair’ on Twitter.
One wrote: “I think drake was alluding to his affair with Kim.”
“Is drake trying to say he f***ed kim k I’m dead,” a second shared.
“Lmaoo, I know @kanyewest just heard that verse on @Drake new song bruh. @KimKardashian had a lil entanglement,” a third commented.
And a fourth penned: “WHY WONT DRAKE JUST TELL US WHAT HIM AND KIM K HAVE DONE??????? LMAOOOOOOOOOO”
The new song was launched as part of Drake’s new EP Scary Hours 2. It comes after the rapper hinted he had a fling with KUWTK star Kim in the past, on his 2018 song In My Feelings.
“Kiki, do you love me?” he repeatedly asks, with fans at the time questioning if it was about her as the superstar’s sisters call her Kiki by nickname. He also pushed it further by rapping in the song Can’t Take a Joke about getting an ‘UberX to Hidden Hills’ to ‘give me somethin’ I can feel’.
It seemed Drake was mocking the fact he lived close to Kim and Kanye in their private Calabasas estate.
However Kanye set the record straight at the time, firing back at the rapper in an Instagram video.
He said: “The fact that there’s people making rumors or thinking you f**ked my wife and you’re not saying nothing and you’re carrying it like that, that don’t sit well with my spirit.”
The estranged couple are getting divorced after nearly seven years of marriage. Kim filed for divorce from the father of her four children late last month, and it’s claimed she is taking it ‘day by day’ to end their marriage amicably.
Since her rep confirmed the news, Kim has been carrying on as normal by sharing saucy snaps on Instagram while juggling looking after their kids and building her business empire.
The Mirror has contacted Kim, Kanye and Drake’s representatives for comment.
Omobolanle Onifade Boluwatife is the delectable producer of the award winning movie, The Wizard. The beautiful actress cum Realtor is definitely the next big thing in the movie industry as she is currently a regular face on the screen in the series Elenini.
Born and need in the ancient city of Abeokuta in Ogun State, she had her primary and secondary education there before proceeding to the Polytechnic Ibadan in 2015 for her National Diploma as an Estate Surveyor and Valuation. And currently doing her HND in same institution.
Responding to her sojourn into Nollywood she said it all began from the church.
“My acting history started when I was still a very young child in the church, CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH. Because I love to work for GOD and love to get noticed and also love to display my talent for people to see and love me.
When I noticed my passion for acting, I proceeded to a acting school( GOSHEN UNIVERSAL_academia) which is the academic institute of Oreofe films and theatre productions company Nigeria . In year 2010, I
was certified in theatre and films production in year 2012
Professionally, I started to chase my career in Nollywood in 2015 when I joined BWEALTH FILMS PRODUCTION owned by a Yoruba actress Biola Adekunle in Abeokuta.”
The sexy actress became a producer when she produced her own movie known as The Wizard in 2019. It was Premiered in 2020 on YouTube via Libra TV channel.
“My first production was THE WIZARD. It talks about a young child with a special power from birth”.
According to her, her mentors are Dr Oreofe Williams , Miss Bola Solate ,Mrs Ojo Judith , Bello GBolagade and her late father, Onifade Adekunle.
Interestingly, aside acting she is also a realtor and works for the popular Adron homes and property. She joined them in 2017 at Ibadan as their Business Manager in Real Estate and has won awards of best staff countless number of times and has a lot of client cabals.
Confessing her winning strategies, she said faith in God, dedication and self development have been her winning ways.
Nigeria’s largest hospitality brand launches a new platform for booking vacation homes, holiday lets, and experiences.
Aura is a new platform that connects people to great accommodation, great food, and memorable experiences in different cities across Africa
Aura to partner with homeowners, hoteliers, restaurateurs, tour operators, and locals to redefine travel and tourism
Africa’s leading hospitality brand Transcorp Hotels Plc. has announced the launch of Aura, a new digital platform through which people can book accommodation, restaurants, and experiences.
The new brand, Transcorp’s first in the alternative accommodation segment, is part of the company’s asset-light model, leveraging technology to deliver true hospitality, exciting experiences, and drive shareholder value.
“It’s a new dawn in the hospitality industry! I am thrilled to introduce you to Aura by Transcorp, the digital platform we are using to connect people to quality accommodation, great food, and awesome experiences,” Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Hotels Plc. Dupe Olusola said.
“For more than 30 years, Transcorp Hotels Plc has been at the forefront of creating a superior guest experience at our locations. Today, our commitment to innovation has offered us an opportunity to extend this beyond the hotel premises,” Olusola added.
The launch of Aura by Transcorp is one of the most significant developments in the company’s history as it seeks to transform the travel and tourism industry in Africa by focusing on three important components of travel, whether for leisure or business — where you stay, what you eat and how you spend your time. With its people-driven hospitality model, Aura is set to revolutionise travel and help remind Africans of our deep history of hospitality.
Speaking on the launch of Aura, Obong Idiong, Chief Executive Officer at Africa Prudential Plc, Aura’s technology partners, expressed his excitement. “Finding the right accommodation when you travel can be incredibly complex. Options available for the right prices are often limited, and travellers sometimes end up with accommodation that taints the travel experience. Transcorp Hotels Plc has been able to fix that with Aura and we are proud to be associated with them.”
“To ensure topnotch user experience, we built a solution to drive digital transformation through the adoption of shared living spaces for the Aura business. With an advanced search algorithm powered by artificial intelligence, Aura determines the relevance of locations taking into consideration, the customers’ preferences and requirements to meet them at the point of their needs,” Idiong added.
Priscilla Adeboye, a travel enthusiast and early adopter of Aura, said the global pandemic has pushed international travel down her list. “But I still want to be able to take some time off work or spend a weekend away from home with the family. I have found incredible homes on Aura that meet my need for space and privacy.”
Working with thousands of partners across Nigeria and different cities in Africa, Transcorp Hotels Plc. is building the continent’s largest platform for people-driven hospitality. While travellers enjoy the right selections at the best prices on Aura, hosts can also earn a lot of money by receiving guests in their unoccupied homes and sharing the local culture with them.
For travellers who would rather stay in hotels, Aura also has a great selection of some of the best hotels in every city.
With the launch of Aura, Transcorp Hotels Plc. has further cemented its leadership in the hospitality industry and reinforced its commitment to innovation and superior guest experience across different demographics.
Guests and hosts can sign up at aura.transcorphotels.com to start booking or hosting. The service is currently available in Nigeria only, but the company said plans are already in place to expand to major cities in Africa.
