Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, a member of Standard Bank Group, won three awards at the All Africa Employee Engagement Awards held recently in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The All-African Employee Engagement Awards rewards individuals and businesses for contributions to the development of employee engagement and the future of work on the African continent.
Mrs. Olufunke Amobi Country Head, Human Capital
StanbicIBTC Holdings emerged winner in three of the 12 categories. The organisation won in the Customer and Employee Experience and Major Corporate Engagement Company of the Year categories. Mrs.Olufunke Amobi, Country Head, Human Capital at Stanbic IBTC was also awarded the 2019 Employment Engagement Professional of the Year.
The All Africa Employee Engagement Awards attracted entries from companies across the African continent.
Mrs. Amobi described the awards as a testament to the fact that Stanbic IBTC is a great place to work and provides a conducive environment for employees to thrive and excel. She said: “The awards recently won by Stanbic IBTC is a reflection of the values which we represent. We are very much interested in the growth and development of our employees; we promote respect for each other and we uphold the highest levels of integrity. We also encourage the culture of team bonding in addition to inspiring our employees to constantly raise the bar.”
She added that the awards would spur the Human Capital team of Stanbic IBTC Holdings to achieve more successes in the coming years.
Access Bank’s expanded digital lending portfolio, which gives Nigerians quick and 24/7 access to funds for emergencies without any collateral has hit a record N1billion daily in loan value.
According to Victor Etuokwu, Executive Director, Retail Banking, Access Bank Plc, “We are at the forefront of digital lending across the continent. This is a deliberate choice we made when we introduced the first USSD based digital lending product in Nigeria based on our deep understanding of our operating environment. In the past two years, we have disbursed over 3.5 million loans to individuals. We acknowledge it is no mean feat when compared to where the market is coming from, but this is still a scratch in the overall potential of this market. This year alone we have disbursed over N45billion in over 2 million disbursements to individuals and have recently witnessed a spike in our volumes hitting N1billion daily. This achievement and our focus on retail lending reiterates our commitment to democratize access to financial services leveraging digital technology.”
Since the launch of Access Bank’s digital loan portfolio with PayDay Loan as the flagship product, Access Bank has continued to expand its loan portfolio using its proven innovative algorithms and deep machine learning capabilities. The Bank’s retail innovation journey has led it to expand its digital loan offerings to other multi-tenured variants to fit the needs of its diverse retail customer segments.
Access Bank also launched a dedicated loan application platform known as QuickBucks in the third quarter of last year; a Mobile Banking Application for digital loans aimed at improving customers borrowing experience for retail loans.
As part of its commitment to deepening digital finance, the Bank has gone a step ahead to provide access to phone ownership as it recently launched a 12-month Device Ownership scheme where any salary earning customer can select a phone of his choice from our QuickBucks app and walk into any of our partner outlets across the country to pick up the phone.
Chinedu Onuoha, Head Digital Banking Business Development, Access Bank, commented recently on this laudable achievement:
“Our objective is to ensure that there is a digital loan product for every adult Nigerian who has proven means of livelihood because we know that every individual at one point or another requires some form of financial support. Our flagship digital loan product, PayDay Loan is tailored to help individuals meet their urgent cash needs. Though the tenor for this loan is 30 days, we also have loans with tenors of 3 months and 6 months.”
The new strategic plan, which redefines the strategic objectives and specific actions to be taken is a blue print document that reviews the organisation’s current performance status in comparison with its abilities, expectations from its members and stakeholders, requirements of African’s insurance and reinsurance markets as well as comparison with peers with a similar mandate.
The new road map of the AIO is the result of a study conducted by Dr. Schanz, Alms & Company, a Swiss based consultancy, contracted by the Executive Committee of the AIO. The study was based on the interviews of some senior insurance Executives of AIO member companies plus a large number of stakeholders including non AIO members, on the role of an African organisation, its performance and the role of the General Assembly.
The AIO’s new strategic plan will rest on six main pillars that encompass the objectives of the organisation at birth notably ensuring a healthy African insurance/reinsurance industry and the promotion of inter African cooperation through insurance.
The six strategic objectives of the AIO henceforth are advocacy, research, training, awareness/reputation, market building and networking/events.
Ms. Delphine Traoré, President of the African Insurance Organisation, says “It had become crucial to review the purpose and long-term vision of the AIO and the values it brings to its members.”
Elaborating on the strategic plan she clarifies “In advocacy we aim to advance the policy interests of the African insurance industry.
In research we want to establish a data repository, but more importantly help with decision making and industry recognition through thought-leadership.
In networking and events, we aim to retain the position that the AIO occupies in the African insurance industry, but assure a stronger focus on the plenary sessions and the topics discussed at events.
In training, we aim to set standards and best practices for insurance and reinsurance education that are relevant to the industry on the African continent.
In awareness and reputation building we want to strengthen the perception of the industry as a facilitator of economic and societal progress.
And finally, in market building we aim to facilitate solutions that reach out to the under – or the uninsured.”
Also commenting on the new strategic plan of the African Insurance Organistaion, the new Secretary General, Mr. Jean Baptiste Ntukamazina says “In terms of new initiatives the AIO has to become the advocate for the African insurance industry, establish itself as a quality seal, promoting insurance education that is relevant to the African insurance markets, strengthen thought-leadership and agenda setting as a precondition to also be perceived as the advocate and centre of competence for the African insurance industry.”
Mr. Ntukamazina adds that “with this new strategic plan, the AIO will contribute to increasing the insurance penetration in Africa. It will further strengthen the AIO’s financial flexibility, grow the AIO’s membership base, assure the perception of the AIO as the representation (voice) of the African insurance industry and improve the AIO’s overall performance rating.”
The new strategic plan will not only promote best practices and initiate projects which demonstrate the benefits of insurance to consumers, regulators and policymakers but will equally enhance the strategic partnerships with African insurance associations through a focus on specific value propositions.
The African Insurance Organisation (AIO), recognised by many African governments, is a non-governmental organisation established in 1972.
Following the headquarters agreement the government of Cameroon signed with the organisation, the Permanent Secretariat of the AIO was set up in that country.
The AIO has 358 members, 342 of them from 47 countries in Africa and 16 associate international members from 9 countries.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on governments and industry to work together to make the best use of modern technology to put the passenger at the center of the journey and to achieve greater efficiency from infrastructure.
The call came during the opening address by Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO, at the IATA Global Airport and Passenger Symposium (GAPS) in Warsaw.
To improve the passenger experience, technology options should focus on what the passenger wants. The 2019 IATA Global Passenger Survey noted strong preferences by travelers for technology to enable them to track their baggage in real time and to expedite their journey through the various airport processes.
The industry has solutions for both these passenger expectations—the One ID initiative, and RFID for baggage tracking. Both need the support of stakeholders, including governments.
IATA’s One ID initiative is helping the industry to transition towards a day when passengers can move from curb to gate using a single biometric travel token such as a face, fingerprint or iris scan.
“Biometric technology has the power to transform the passenger experience. Airlines are strongly behind the One ID initiative. The priority now is ensuring there is regulation in place to support the vision of a paperless travel experience that will also ensure that their data is well protected,” said de Juniac.
On baggage, airlines and airports are working together to implement tracking at key journey points, such as loading onto and off-of aircraft (Resolution 753). In June, airlines committed to the global deployment of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for baggage tracking.
“Implementation of RFID has seen some good progress, especially in China where the technology has been thoroughly embraced. In Europe several airlines and airports are successfully working together to introduce RFID, notably Air France at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. Industry needs to be reminded that in addition to meeting our customers’ expectations, implementation of RFID will help reduce the USD2.4 billion cost to airlines from mishandled bags,” said de Juniac.
Infrastructure will also play a key role in meeting customer expectations. Developing infrastructure that can cope with future demand, without relying on ever-bigger airports, is essential. In cooperation with Airports Council International (ACI), the NEXTT (New Experience Travel Technologies) initiative explores important changes in technology and processes to improve operational efficiency and the customer experience.
Among its 11 work streams, NEXTT is examining several options, including the potential to:
Increase off-site processing, which could reduce or even eliminate queues.
Use artificial intelligence and robotics to more efficiently use space and resources.
Improve data sharing among stakeholders to enhance efficiency.
“Accommodating growth by building bigger and bigger airports will be challenging from a public policy perspective. NEXTT provides a major opportunity to focus on using the latest industry technology standards for a sustainable future. We look forward to seeing Poland take a leadership role in delivering the NEXTT vision with the construction of Warsaw’s new airport- Solidarity Transport Hub. It’s the European Union’s first greenfield airport in over a decade,” said de Juniac.
R-L: Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); Mr Ahmed Kuru, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Mr Modibbo Hamman Tukur, Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) during one of the meetings of the Inter-Agency Committee set up by the Vice President to recover AMCON debt in Abuja
The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed has charged the management of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) led by Mr. Ahmed Kuru, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer to do everything with the powers of its newly amended Act to recover the huge debt owed the Corporation by a few individuals and organisations in the country.
Similarly, the Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Mr. Mamman Ahmadu has declared BPP’s willingness to collaborate with AMCON in the quest to recover the debt, which he said will help liberate the economy as well as improve the commonwealth of the nation.
The BPP boss said, the bureau has intensified its due diligence process and will ensure that those seeking contract from the government are scrutinised to establish the fact that they are not on the list of AMCON debtors before contracts are awarded.
The Finance Minister who made the call in Abuja at the weekend during the quarterly briefing of the Ministry of Finance, attended by agencies under the supervision of the Ministry, while commending AMCON on the national assignment however said she expects a lot more from the Corporation especially now that President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the amended 2019 AMCON Act into law, which gives additional powers to AMCON to deal with the obligors.
“AMCON must ensure that the debts are recovered before the sunset, which is around the corner. If AMCON at sunset AMCON fails to recover the huge bad loans, the debt will become government problem, which the government is not willing to carry. Therefore, everything must be done to ensure that AMCON recovers the debt from the obligors because it will have a huge positive impact on the economy,” the minister said.
R-L: Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); Mr Ahmed Kuru, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Mr Modibbo Hamman Tukur, Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) during one of the meetings of the Inter-Agency Committee set up by the Vice President to recover AMCON debt in Abuja
While urging all the agencies under the ministry’s supervision to always remember the 11 priority areas of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in the discharge of their duties, the Minister added that the quarterly meeting had become critical because it creates the enabling platform for sister agencies of government to cross-fertilise ideas for improved collaboration and delivery.
In a related development, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) who also chairs the Inter-Agency Presidential Committee set up by the Vice President to recover AMCON debt has joined his voice in rallying sister agencies of government to ensure that they tighten the noose on AMCON obligors, which he said will pressure them to repay the debt before sunset.
According to him, the Inter-Agency Presidential Committee, which includes the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU); Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC); Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Ministry of Justice; ICPC and AMCON has concluded plans to expand the dragnet of the debtors by looking at those who facilitated the loans on the side of the banks and those who benefited from the proceeds.
Dr. Eberechukwu Uneze, an Executive Director at AMCON who represented the AMCON boss at the quarterly meeting reassured the Minister of the commitment of the management and staff of AMCON to deliver on the mandate in line with the expectations of the federal government.
He also said the Corporation has made remarkable progress working with the Inter-Agency Committee set up by the Presidency to enable AMCON recover the over N5 trillion debt burden; just as AMCON is in partnership with over 228 Asset Management Partners (AMPs) to hasten recovery activities.
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced that following an in-depth assessment of the organisation, it has achieved the Investors in People (IIP) Platinum accreditation.
Investors in People is the international standard for people management, defining what it takes to lead, support and manage people effectively to achieve sustainable results. Underpinning the standard is the Investors in People framework, reflecting the latest workplace trends, essential skills and effective structures required to outperform in any industry. Investors in People enables organisations to benchmark against the best in the business on an international scale.
MTN Nigeria is the first Nigerian company to have attained IIP Platinum, the highest accolade available. This is held by only 2% of current IiP accredited organisations companies globally. It is noteworthy that MTN had previously received the IIP Standard certification in 2013 and the IIP Gold Certification in 2015.
Commenting on the recent certification, Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN Nigeria, Esther Akinnukawe said: “This IIP certification is a recognition of our people management practices over the years. It speaks to our credentials as an employer of choice and a great place for anyone to work and grow their career. For our people, we will continue to build upon this success.”
In the world of internet-of- everything, speed defines the winner. Talk about a device that captures the unswerving attention of the crowd when put on display leaving everyone enthralled and in awe of the speed, the TECNO SPARK 4 is all of that and more.
First, SPARK 4 is running on 4G internet, which enables the user always be the first one to know the latest news and trend in this speedy developing era. Using 4G network on SPARK 4, effectively reduce wait time when surfing the social media or watching video, touching more fun with less waiting.
The strong storage equipment enables TECNO SPARK 4 more space and long-time lasting for faster running. TECNO SPARK 4 combines a super-fast network with a state-of-the-art 2.0GHz Quad-Core Processor, which presents lower power consumption and faster running speed. 32GB ROM offers user more space for photos, music, videos and files storage while 2GB RAM means a faster and more fluent user experience with our system.
The 4000mAh big battery allows user more time connecting with the world. This guarantees an all-around speed and allows users to connect with the world faster from anywhere at any time.
The SPARK 4 debuts a 6.52 inched Dot Notch Screen with a screen to body ratio of 90%, packed in a beautifully crafted Ultra-thin outer frame. This combination enhances easy handling of the device and equally makes gaming and viewing into a whole new, utterly pleasing experience. A bigger screen stimulates the user to explore more and faster experience through TECNO SPARK 4.
The fast internet speed also enables Face Unlock 2.0 function to unlock the phone speedily via “face scan”. Record your facial information, TECNO SPARK 4 would learn and recognize your face when you light up your phone and unlock it. With the newly added “Closed-Eyes Detection”on 2.0 version, less worry of unlocking your phone when you are sleeping or closing your eyes.
TECNO SPARK 4 also supports AI video chat beauty mode, which means that users have no need for makeup, all you need to do is activate the video chat beauty mode on your TECNO SPARK 4 device and you are good to go.
The AI Video Beauty will simply radiate your skin during the video chat.
Hackers have successfully infiltrated the internal SMS system of First Bank of Nigeria Limited by sending out fraudulent text messages to customers of the bank claiming that their account and ATM had been blocked due to the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and asking the customers to call a particular GSM number to rectify the situation.
The text message by the hackers using the name of First Bank read thus:
Dear customer, as regard to cashless policy, Your Account, ATM has been Locked due to change in date of birth, Contact customer care on 08111282787 to rectify.
But some customers that called the number reported the response thus:
You are not allowed to call this number.
During a visit this morning to First Bank branch at Ikotun in Lagos, a customer care officer said the message came from hackers and not from the bank. He warned customers of the bank not to call the number or disclose their account and ATM details for any reason.
He said the bank is aware of the situation but could not explain why First Bank has failed to send out a counter text message to its customers nationwide to protect them from falling victims to the hackers.
Left; Chief Risk Officer, Biyi Olagbami; Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Carol Oyedeji; Managing Director, Patrick Akinwuntan; Chief Audit Executive, Felix Igbinosa; Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Akin Dada and Chief Financial Controller, Ibukun Oyedeji, all of Ecobank Nigeria during the bank" commemoration of Ecobank Day 2019 in Lagos on Saturday.
Ecobank Nigeria has pledged its commitment and financial support to the fight against non- communicable diseases, especially cancer.
The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan said this over the weekend during the bank’s cancer awareness walk in Lagos as part of the commemoration of Ecobank Day.
Ecobank Day is a special day set aside every year by Ecobank Group, for management and staff of the bank to embark on CSR activities that impact its immediate environment and people. The theme for this year’s edition is “Preventing Non-Communicable Diseases” with special focus on “Cancer Awareness” Ecobank Day holds simultaneously in the 33/countries in Africa where the bank operates.
Left; Chief Risk Officer, Biyi Olagbami; Executive Director, Commercial Banking, Carol Oyedeji; Managing Director, Patrick Akinwuntan; Chief Audit Executive, Felix Igbinosa; Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Akin Dada and Chief Financial Controller, Ibukun Oyedeji, all of Ecobank Nigeria during the bank” commemoration of Ecobank Day 2019 in Lagos on Saturday.
According to Akinwuntan, “We started the Ecobank Day in 2013 where we picked the first Saturday of every October to come together across our 36 countries to pick an item where we can add value to the society. This year, we decided that non communicable diseases deserve to be highlighted.’
He said the bank choose to support these cause because of its mortality rate and the need to encourage the people on regular check-ups to prevent the disease.
He said this year the bank would financially support a few selection of cancer patients nationwide and as well as cancer prevention awareness campaigns.
“For 3 years, we are going to focus on preventing non-communicable diseases and this year we are focusing on cancer.”
Furthermore he added: “For us, across all the venues today, we are offering either subsidised or free check-up for all the participants, work force, family and friends in order to check our health status and take care of early prevention.”
“And for those that the cancer impact is much higher, we would bring people together to contribute money to support them as they go through their cancer treatment. So for us in Ecobank Nigeria, you can go to our mobile app and you would see under our pay bills Ecobank cares and you are able to contribute so we support people battling cancer.”
On his part, the Chief Risk Officer Mr. Biyi Olagbami who also doubles as the lead CSR champion for Ecobank Nigeria said the bank plans to intensify its CSR activities nationwide.
He said: “In Ecobank, we take our CSR very seriously and we do this across all our presence countries “This should be the spring board to a stronger impact going forward. We have been doing this for a few years and we don’t intend to stop instead we intend to increase the intensity of our activity in this area.”
The cancer awareness walk took place simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. The “walk” in Lagos led by its Managing Director and other Management staff kicked off at the bank’s headquarters on Ahmadu Bello Way through major streets on Lagos Island and it attracted accolades from passersby along the route.
The event also witnessed health talk by cancer specialists, speeches and testimonies from cancer survivors including free cancer screening.
The MTN Group today launched its “We’re good together” initiative. This is aimed at demonstrating how, in partnering with our host countries, we can change lives by improving digital access, driving financial inclusion, empowering and enabling SMEs, creating jobs and broad community development, among many others.
As a pan-African company with roots that are deeply anchored in the continent, MTN is telling its story that doing good business extends far beyond corporate social investment initiatives.
Speaking about the role of MTN on the continent, Group CEO and President Rob Shuter said: “To harness the potential of Africa and ensure our youth are productively employed we need affordable, safe and relevant digital services which are matched with the required digital skills. This in turn will support the global development agenda and national priorities. As one of the major infrastructure investors across Africa, MTN through partnership and collaboration can accelerate this digital inclusion.”
The global telecommunications industry has made significant progress on the Sustainable Development Goals but more still needs to be done to bridge the digital divide and MTN is prepared to do its part. Since inception 25 years ago, MTN has been a significant contributor to the economies and communities within which we operate.
A lot of this has been with respect to the infrastructure that is the backbone of the economies that we operate in, and often, that enables connectivity of people in the most remote areas. Our operations have also increasingly become a broader part of the economy through varying efforts including employment creation as well as Mobile Money.
“Over the last 25 years MTN has built high-speed networks covering 560 million people, created jobs for over 5 million people and through MTN Mobile Money connected 30 million people to the benefits of easy, cost-effective mobile financial services across the continent,” said Shuter.
MTN has also worked to use this extensive mobile reach and technology to enable access to education with the goal of promoting and enabling digital teaching and learning. This has been driven by our aim to empower students with the knowledge required to seize opportunities, improve their quality of life and realise their ambitions.
“MTN only succeeds if Africa succeeds. Being a partner in development also means that we have a responsibility to enable the youth to unlock economic opportunities in every country we operate in. We have therefore enhanced our focus on more actively demonstrating what can be achieved if we work together to enable a shared value system and drive a prosperous Africa,” added Shuter.
In commemoration of Nigeria’s 59years’ independence anniversary, Nigeria’s leading retail bank, Access Bank Plc has unveiled a cash incentive campaign tagged “DiamondXtra Independence Splash” to reward over 30 DiamondXtra customers daily with cash prizes.
The campaign is set to run from October 2to October 31, 2019 and will reward over 600 customers during the campaign period.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Lagos, the Executive Director, Retail Banking, Access Bank Plc, Victor Etuokwu said the bank introduced the daily rewards promo in commemoration of the country’s independence to give as many Nigerians as possible financial freedom and empower them to fulfil their day to day needs as they celebrate Nigeria at 59.
“The DiamondXtra Independence Splash which is going to run from October 2 to October 30, 2019 is a testimony to our commitment to empower Nigerians financially irrespective of their educational, religious and social status.
For 30 days of celebrating Nigeria at 59, we will be rewarding more than 30 lucky customers daily with cash prizes ranging from, N10,000, N20,000 and N50,000 respectively. This is our own little way of giving back to our loyal customers.
To qualify for the DiamondXtra Independence Splash reward scheme which is open to both new and existing customers, new customers are required to open a DiamondXtra savings account with just N5,000 by dialling *901# or walking into one of our branches to open the account. However, the more multiples of N5,000 both new and old customers save, the higher their chances of winning at the daily draw” Victor concluded.
DiamondXtra is an interest yielding hybrid account which allows deposit of both cash and third party cheques. Hybrid means a combination of both savings and current account features. The DiamondXtrareward scheme has given away over N5 billion in cash and household items to over 15,000 loyal customers over the last 11years.
Mrs. Yetunde IIori (Centre), Director-General, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA); Mr. Davis Iyasere, Head of Corporate Affairs (left) and Mrs. Bola Omole, Controller, IT, Research & Statistics at the unveiling of ‘Wetin U Carry’ campaign by NIA.
The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has launched a campaign “Wetin U Carry” to ensure that motorists in Nigeria are plying the road with genuine motor insurance policies.
Mrs. Yetunde IIori, the Director-General of NIA said in Lagos that of the estimated 12 million vehicles on Nigerian roads, only 2.5 of them are captured on the insurance industry motor insurance platform for vehicles operating genuine licences.
IIori said the campaign will commence from Wednesday, October 2, 2019 in Lagos as a pilot scheme before extending to other parts of the country. The essence said is to know whether motorists are carrying genuine or fake motor insurance certificates on them.
Mrs. Yetunde IIori (Centre), Director-General, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA); Mr. Davis Iyasere, Head of Corporate Affairs (left) and Mrs. Bola Omole, Controller, IT, Research & Statistics at the unveiling of ‘Wetin U Carry’ campaign by NIA.
Going forward, the NIA DG said the industry body will also launch a unified platform from where people can purchase motor insurance policies in the near future.
On how the insurance market has fared in Nigeria after 59 years of independence, the NIA DG said: “A lot has happened in the insurance industry since independence in 1960. The industry has evolved positively and has become a lot more innovative.”
Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited (SIPML), a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, has announced its sponsorship of the 2019 edition of Art X Lagos. This year, SIPML is sponsoring Art X Modern which is a newly created section dedicated to celebrating pioneers of African modern art from the 20th century.
Art X Modern will comprise three galleries: Bloom Art and Mydrim Gallery, which are Nigerian, and Gallery 1957 from Ghana. The newly introduced section will also feature Uche Okeke and Obiora Udechukwu, both Nigerian artists, as well as Professor Ablade Glover from Ghana, amongst other reputed names.
SIPML will also host a dedicated sponsored talk session which will be open to the public.
Mr. Eric Fajemisin, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pensions said the company’s sponsorship of Art X was hinged on its commitment towards promoting Nigeria’s art sector.
He said: “Our interest in promoting arts is hinged on the belief that creativity and intellect can serve as sources of livelihood for individuals who decide to make a career out of their passion for painting and drawing. In other climes, art is cherished, and patrons sometimes pay a fortune for works of art that are considered collectors’ items. We want to promote a culture which ensures that artists are appreciated for their ingenuity and adequately rewarded with the premium and royalties that their works attract.”
He added that the company decided to host the Art X Modern section as a means of ensuring that artists get the recognition due them during their lifetime. The Stanbic IBTC Pensions Chief Executive said: “Being Nigeria’s largest pensions manger, we have the responsibility to ensure that our customers retire well, so that they have something to fall back on post work-life. We are also promoting that principle which holds that those who contribute actively to enriching lives and enhancing our creative industry get their due, even after leaving active work life.”
This year’s edition of Art X Lagos will hold at Federal Palace Hotel from Friday, November 1 to Sunday, November 3, 2019. This year’s Art Festival will feature 23 gallery booths including Nigerian gallery exhibitors such as: The Space, Bloom Art, Nike Art Gallery, Retro Africa and SMO Contemporary, among others.
The roll call of artists who will showcase their art includes: Abe Odedina (Nigeria / UK / Brazil), Soly Cissé (Senegal), Sam Nhlengethwa (South Africa), Tizta Berhanu (Ethiopia), Peju Alatise (Nigeria) and Lady Skollie (South Africa).
ART X Lagos is West Africa’s first international art fair, designed to showcase intriguing and innovative contemporary art from the African continent and diaspora.
From left: Vice Chairperson ADU Women Wing Lagos, Mrs. Gift Nebeani; Chairperson ADU Women Wing Lagos, Mrs. Nkem Nweke; chairman, Ebenebe Town Union Lagos, Chief Sunday Nnarah; awardee, Chief Benard Nebeani; Representing President Association of Anambra State Development Union Lagos, Barr. Ubaka Nwonwu; Chairman, Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU) Lagos, Mr. Remmy Nweke; Father of the day, Benard Chidebe and his wife, Mother of the day, Lolo Gloria Chidebe, during the 2019 ADU Lagos Award and Civic Center Fund Raising at Welcome Centre Hotels, Lagos.
The Lagos branch of Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU) has launched a N100m fund for a multi-purpose civic centre, just as call went out for building of institutions than individuals for the town to thrive.
The Chairman of ADU Lagos, Mr. Remmy Chuks Nweke, disclosed this in his address to the branch’s maiden award and civic centre fundraising held Saturday at the Welcome Centre Hotels, International Airport Road, Lagos, calling for strong institutions rather than individuals to pave the way for peace and development to flourish.
Nweke also said that the launch of N100m fund for the civic centre is important and strategic, as “it marks the beginning of a journey to a stronger socio economic base for our dear Union in Lagos.”
ADU Lagos, he said, conceived the idea of a multipurpose civic center, to serve as a focal point for the community gathering with facilities for indoor sporting events, theaters, concerts and shopping centre.
“Specifically, the ADU Lagos Civic Centre building is estimated to cost about N100million for completion; which outside acting as ADU Lagos meeting point, will be an income generating venture through offer of services to the public by renting out its halls for events when completed.
From left: Vice Chairperson ADU Women Wing Lagos, Mrs. Gift Nebeani; Chairperson ADU Women Wing Lagos, Mrs. Nkem Nweke; chairman, Ebenebe Town Union Lagos, Chief Sunday Nnarah; awardee, Chief Benard Nebeani; Representing President Association of Anambra State Development Union Lagos, Barr. Ubaka Nwonwu; Chairman, Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU) Lagos, Mr. Remmy Nweke; Father of the day, Benard Chidebe and his wife, Mother of the day, Lolo Gloria Chidebe, during the 2019 ADU Lagos Award and Civic Center Fund Raising at Welcome Centre Hotels, Lagos.
“ADU members wishing to use the hall will benefit from a special discount package,” he assured.
The chairman, equally urged invited guests for support to achieve this goal, “please donate generously and you’ll be richly blessed. God loves a cheerful giver.”
Additionally, he disclosed that a given percentage of the fund raised will be set aside for women empowerment, especially for widows in the town and specifically those who may have links with ADU Lagos.
He recalled that Awba-Ofemili indigenes have been in Lagos for over 40 years and deserved to have a meeting point of their own, reiterating that what the town needs urgently is not necessarily strong men or women, but strong institutions in Awba-Ofemili to prosper.
“What Awba-Ofemili urgently needs are accountable individuals and institutions, which focus should be to support good governance and ensure that dissenting voices are heard; to ensure equal administration of justice for all Ndi Awba-Ofemili; civic participation, so that our young people get involved,” Nweke declared.
The fundraising, chairman said, offered a great opportunity to recognise and honour great men and women who laid the foundation for ADU Lagos.
“We had great men like Chief Alex Chidebe (Mayor n’Awba-Ofemili) and wife, Mama Agnes Chidebe, Chief Peter Chidebe (NkeOnadi) and wife, Mrs Rose Chidebe and later Chief Charles Ifesike and wife, Mrs. Theresa Ifesike. These are of blessed memory,” he said, with a minute silent observed for all the heroes of the town departed.
Women participation in town union development, he said, cannot be over emphasised, and enjoined all ADU men to encourage their wives to socialize with ADU Women Wing, considering that it is only what the women know they can teach their children, especially the Awba-Ofemili culture and tradition.
He commended the leadership of ADU Women Lagos led by Mrs. Nkem Nweke, vice chairperson, Mrs. Gift Nebeani, and supported by the Mother of the day, Lolo Gloria Chidebe, among others.
The Father of the Day, Ide Awba-Ofemili, Chief Benard Chidebe, said that the first indigene of the town came to Lagos in 1945 in the name of Col. Joseph Chidebe and ever since, Lagos has been a home to them, urging ADU members to remain law-abiding as they strive for success in their worthy endeavours.
Awba-Ofemili, he further said, is an agrarian community reputed for its quality rice production and fishery in Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State and is a border town between Anambra and Enugu States.
A total of 36 indigenes of Awba-Ofemili both home and abroad as well as some friends of the town were honoured at the occasion including the chairman, Fidwax Group, Chief Fidelis Nweke, who was the chief launcher as well as the Transition Chairman, Awka-North Local Government Area, Hon. Ferdinard Onwuje; Chief Dr. Nnamdi Okafor, CEO, Edinho Limited; and Mr. Benard Nebeani, to name but a few.
Over 86 indigenes were also presented with their certificates of membership by the leadership of ADU Lagos.
The mood among Africa’s reinsurance executives has become more bearish as declining rates and rising claims weigh on the profitability of the African reinsurance markets with a current premium volume of roughly US$ 7.5 billion.
While Africa’s economies are still recovering from the commodity crisis of 2016, which highlighted the continent’s vulnerability to external shocks, executives are once again concerned about the current outlook in light of renewed economic and political uncertainties.
This is the main outcome of the 4th edition of the Africa Reinsurance Pulse, which was published at yesterday’s 24th African Reinsurance Forum in Tunis, Tunisia.
