UBA OFFERS CUSTOMERS #FUNSUMMER TREAT WITH EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS, DISCOUNTS

 Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has assured customers of a memorable summer treat with the recent launch of exclusive benefits and discounts tied to its cards during this period.

Tagged, the #FunSummer campaign, customers are set to enjoy a wide range of privileges and savings between now and  the end of August 2023, and this service is open to all customers and non-customers of UBA.

Unveiling the campaign in Lagos, UBA’s Group Head,  Retail Products and Sales, Prince Ayewoh, said the bank, understands the relevance of the summer season to Nigerians who use their cards both home and abroad, online or in-store and has  worked towards creating a value-driven campaign on how UBA Card holders can best achieve their desires this season and beyond.

He said, "We are thrilled to introduce our Summer Campaign, providing our esteemed customers with remarkable benefits through the UBA card. With our exclusive discounts on staycations and lifestyle services as well as subscriptions, we aim to enhance our customers' summer experiences and contribute to their personal growth and well-being." 

“With the UBA card, customers gain access to an array of exceptional offers. For starters, customers can now enjoy a 5% discount when booking a staycation or availing other lifestyle services through the Aura by Transcorp hotel app,” he noted.

Ayewoh pointed out that UBA recognizes the importance of keeping children engaged and learning during the summer holidays, which is why UBA cardholders will be entitled to enjoy a special 10% discount on uLesson subscriptions, an innovative and interactive online learning platform. 

“With uLesson, parents can provide their children with fun and educational content, enabling them to expand their knowledge and skills while enjoying their summer break, and so I urge all our customers and non-customers to take advantage of these offers and create lasting memories this summer,” he said.

The summer campaign will also see customers benefit from the use of the UBA Prepaid Cards - the UBA Dollar and Naira Prepaid Card or the Debit card which also comprises of Debit Card for a Naira account, Gold Debit MasterCard, Platinum Debit Mastercard and the Visa Dual Currency Debit Card (DCDC) all of which boast of an array of benefits. 

The UBA card is accepted in over 210 countries of the world and is protected with second to none technology to ensure the security of all cardholders. Cardholders are encouraged to share their summer desires on UBA’s social media pages to qualify for amazing prizes.

For useful travel tips and content, customers are encouraged to follow the conversation on the UBA social media pages and campaign page. 

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees’ group wide and serving over 35 million customers globally.  Operating in 20 African countries and in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.

Top 5 Richest Bankers in Nigeria according to Billionaires Africa List

 A fast growing online business magazine, Billionaires Africa recently profile 5 top richest bankers in Nigeria. Gistmaster.com is not surprised by the names mentioned just that we don't know if the list is correct according to the numerical order.

Jim Ovia

Market value of stake in Zenith Bank: $224.3 million

Jim Ovia is the visionary founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest commercial bank by market capitalization. With a 16.17 percent stake in Zenith Bank, equivalent to 5,077,104,311 ordinary shares, he is one of the wealthiest investors on the local bourse. His stake in the bank is currently worth N169.8 billion ($224.3 million), thanks to his latest acquisition and the notable surge in Zenith Bank’s share price. At the helm of Zenith Bank, Ovia’s contributions to the Nigerian banking sector have been highly influential, earning him recognition as a highly successful banker and entrepreneur. Under his vision and leadership, Zenith Bank has become a top-tier financial institution, solidifying its position as a leading player in Nigeria. With a net worth of $900 million in 2013, Jim Ovia is also one of Africa’s richest men.

Herbert Wigwe

Market value of stake in Access Holdings: $70.5 million

Hebert Wigwe is the Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Holdings Plc, a leading financial services group in Nigeria with a strong asset value. He holds a significant 9.09-percent stake in Access Holdings, equivalent to 3,230,789,014 shares, through his family office, Tengen Holdings. As a result, he is recognized as one of the wealthiest investors on the Nigerian Exchange, with his stake currently valued at N53.4 billion ($70.5 million). Under his leadership, Access Holdings has experienced remarkable growth, emerging as one of Africa’s leading financial services groups through strategic acquisitions. Notably, the acquisition of a majority stake in Angolan bank, Finibanco, and a recent agreement to acquire the Sub-Saharan African subsidiaries of UK-based multinational bank, Standard Chartered Bank, have further strengthened Access Holdings’ position in Africa. The group is committed to establishing a connected ecosystem and fostering a vibrant community between Africa and the rest of the world.

Tony Elumelu:

Market value of stake in UBA: $44.1 million

Tony Elumelu is a distinguished philanthropist and Nigerian businessman with diverse holdings in the financial and energy sectors. He owns 7.17 percent of United Bank of Africa (UBA) through various entities, including Heirs Holdings Limited, Heirs Alliance Limited, and HH Capital. Recently, he acquired an additional 7o million shares in UBA, bringing his total shareholding to 2,457,372,28 units, valued at N33.54 billion ($44.1 million). In addition to his stake in UBA, Elumelu owns a 25.9 percent stake in Transcorp, a prominent conglomerate involved in power generation, energy, and hospitality. As the founder of Heirs Holdings, an influential investment holding company with interests spanning financial services, energy, hospitality, and real estate, Elumelu has established himself as a prominent figure in the Nigerian banking and business landscape and solidified his position as a key player in the financial and energy sectors through his significant holdings in UBA, Transcorp, Africa Prudential, and United Capital.

Atedo Peterside

Market value of stake in Stanbic IBTC Holdings: $13.7 million

Peterside Atedo is a prominent Nigerian banker and economist known for founding the Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited (IBTC) in February 1989 at the age of 33. He has played a significant role in shaping the Nigerian banking industry, particularly through his contributions to the growth of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc. As of the latest data, Stanbic IBTC Holdings is ranked as the tenth most valuable entity on the Nigerian Exchange, boasting a market capitalization of N901 billion ($1.19 billion). Peterside’s achievements extend to his personal investments, where he holds an impressive 1.16 percent stake in Stanbic IBTC Holdings, valued at N10.45 billion ($13.75 million). This substantial stake solidifies his status as one of the richest investors on the Nigerian Exchange and places him among the wealthiest bankers in the country.

Segun Agbaje

Market value of stake in GTCO: $2 million

Segun Agbaje is the Group Managing Director and CEO of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), a Lagos-based financial holding company with diversified operations in retail and investment banking, pension and asset management, and payment services. He has been instrumental in propelling Nigeria’s banking industry forward, leading GTCO to become one of the country’s top financial services groups. Under his guidance, the bank has achieved remarkable strides, earning a prominent reputation within the sector and contributing significantly to the nation’s economic development. Segun Agbaje’s strategic vision was key to the group’s expansion and transformation into a holding company after a structural reform in July 2021. Presently, he holds a minority 0.14-percent stake in the financial services group, totaling 41,628,001 shares, with an estimated value of N1.6 billion ($2 million), making him one of Nigeria’s wealthiest banking executives. In addition to his executive role at GTCO, Agbaje serves on the boards of PepsiCo and is a member of the Mastercard Advisory Board for the Middle East and Africa.

 

Helicopter crash in Lagos

Confirmed report shows Helicopter crashed and bursted into flames today around Oba Akran Road, Ikeja-Lagos. Name of the helicopter pilot is unknown as at the time of report. More details is being awaited as it is not sure the pilot survived. 

FOR A THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR, ZENITH BANK MAINTAINS POSITION AS NIGERIA’S BEST COMMERCIAL BANK, ALSO NAMED BEST CORPORATE GOVERNANCE BANK AT WORLD FINANCE 2023 AWARDS

 For a third year running, Zenith Bank Plc has been named the Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria at the World Finance Banking Awards 2023. The bank also emerged as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria, in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2023, retaining the award for a second consecutive year.

These awards were presented to Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, at the London Stock Exchange recently. The recognitions celebrate the bank's tremendous feats and milestones in financial performance, financial inclusion, corporate governance, and sustainability.

Commenting on the awards, Dr Onyeagwu said that: "these awards are a testament to our resilience and ability to adapt to the vagaries of the market as well as our innate capability to engender very stellar business performances through our innovative products and solutions. It also affirms our continued commitment to global best practices in corporate governance, sustainability and corporate social responsibility." 

Dr Onyeagwu dedicated the awards to the Founder and Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, thanking him for his mentorship and for establishing the basis for a resilient and highly successful institution. He also expressed gratitude to the board for their exceptional leadership, vision, and insight; to the staff for their unwavering commitment and dedication; and to the bank's customers for making Zenith their preferred bank.

World Finance is a foremost international magazine providing extensive coverage and analysis of the financial industry, international business, and the global economy. Its editorial combines award-winning journalism, covering a vast array of topics from banking and insurance to wealth management and infrastructure investment, with contributions from some of the world's most esteemed economists and theorists and consultants from government think tanks and the World Economic Forum.

Zenith Bank's track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, with these latest honours coming on the heels of several recognitions, including being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 14th consecutive year, in the 2023 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker's Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World's Best Banks Awards; Best in Corporate Governance' Financial Services' Africa, for four successive years from 2020 to 2023, by the Ethical Boardroom; Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 Banking Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation In Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards. 

Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021 and Retail Bank of the Year, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. Similarly, Zenith Bank was named Bank of the Decade (People's Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.

PURPLE CRECHE: WEMA BANK REVAMPS ITS CHILD CARE FACILITIES FOR EMPLOYEES

 In line with its continuing policy of upgrading the well-being and welfare of its employees, Wema Bank Plc, Nigeria’s leading innovative financial institution, has announced the re-opening of Purple Crèche for its employees. 

Purple Crèche is an initiative that provides top-tier daycare for the newborn and very young children of Wema Bank staff – the Wema Bank Knights – enabling them attend to their daily schedules. It is a development that further affirms the narrative that Wema Bank is the employer of choice and a great place to work.

Purple Crèche is a daycare and educational facility located within the Wema Bank Head Office and is available to children of Wema Bank staff, aged 3 – 30 months. The crèche had been temporarily closed during Covid. The revamped Purple Creche has now been upgraded with top-notch quality facilities, equipment and human resources, all to provide the staff of Wema Bank with superior standards of care and education for their children. 

The now re-launched Purple Crèche is fully equipped with premium state-of-the-art facilities and a private room for nursing mothers to breastfeed their infants. The staff also comprises a roster of qualified nurses on-site and is managed by trained and experienced, carers who place a premium on the documentation of the children’s activities, in order to keep parents updated on their children’s welfare and progress. The children themselves are taught and educated to develop their cognitive, social, and mental skills, giving them a head-start in life. 

The facility is open every weekday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in alignment with general staff work schedules, thus allowing staff to provide their children with exceptional care in professional hands, without worrying about their safety or well-being.

“Our commitment to improving the lives of our staff and helping them become the best versions of themselves, often have us developing new and improved employee-focused initiatives that positively impact their lives.” explains Ololade Ogungbenro, Wema Bank’s Divisional Head, Brand, People and Culture, “Purple Crèche is one of such initiatives. We observed that members of staff who had just returned from maternity leave had some difficulty adjusting to leaving their newborns at home. We started Purple Creche to bring the children closer to their parents without interrupting productivity on either side; and it was amazing to see parents handle their duties without worrying about their children’s, knowing they’re in the safe hands.  

Regarding the renovation of the crèche, Ogungbenro insists it is in line with Wema’s commitment to excellence. “We maintain a constant review of Purple Creche’s facilities and decided to remodel and upgrade its facilities, improve the quality of Purple Creche staff and create a more homely, advanced and top-class care and learning environment for the children of our staff.” Ogungbenro adds that Purple Crèche is open to all staff of Wema Bank. 

With its re-opening, Purple Crèche is an excellent facility with top-grade infrastructure and a well-trained staff providing children of Wema Bank employees with first-class care and education in a safe, secure and hygienic environment that’s within the immediate reach of their parents, and under the supervision of qualified professionals. 

On her expectations for Purple Crèche, Ogungbenro says “It is about creating a home like environment for our staff most important treasures. When our staff are at peace that their treasures are safe, they can be at their best at work.

 “Purple Crèche promises to be a safe haven for both children and parents to maximize their potential within a secure, nurturing environment. It is our faith that this will ultimately help to produce both intellectually sound and emotionally intelligent children, and highly productive, stress-free parents.”

Lagos State Govt Doesn't Recognize Eyin-Osa United Kingdom"- Lagos CP Tells Alhaji Shitu & Murphy Adebare

 The Eyin-Osa community in the Free Trade Zone Parcel B and its resettlement area named Resettlement of Eyin Osa witnessed a protest last week Thursday as indigenes and residents demonstrated against ACP Jejeloye of the Lagos Taskforce and LSSTF boss Dr Ayo Ogunsan. The protesters accused them of forcibly taking over Eyin-Osa land for a notorious landgrabber known as Murphy Adebare Ademoye, also known as Topaz Gardens.

The protest, held in front of the Lagos High Court, aimed to draw attention to the alleged forceful taking over of residents' lands and the damaging of properties belonging to Harmony Gardens and Estate Development Limited, which were legitimately bought from the Eyin-Osa Resettlement Committee.

According to Mrs Apena Adijat, the Secretary to the Parapo of Abomiti, Yeguda & Eyin-Osa Displaced Communities, Murphy Adebare Ademoye has become a terror to the indigenes and residents of Eyin-Osa. Topaz allegedly employed the services of touts and the Lagos State Taskforce to intimidate, assault, and evict the staff of Harmony Gardens, resulting in the demolition of their properties. Topaz then erected his billboard on the land that belongs to Harmony Gardens to defraud innocent buyers. Mrs Adijat called upon the Lagos State Government to intervene and protect the rightful owners of the resettled land, as they possess legitimate Certificates of Occupancy for their respective zones.

10th Senate: Senator Lawan Maintains Neutrality, Denies Endorsing Any Candidate

 10th Senate: Senator Lawan Maintains Neutrality, Denies Endorsing Any Candidate 

In the final hours leading up to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, rumors have been circulating regarding the outgoing Senate President, Ahmad Lawan's alleged support for Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President. However, Apples Bite Magazine has gathered reliable information from sources close to Senator Lawan, revealing that he has not officially declared or endorsed Senator Akpabio or any other senator vying for the position.

According to our source, "Senator Lawan is keeping his preferred candidate close to his chest."

Clearly, Senator Akpabio's camp is jittery and pushing an agenda in the media to market their candidate for the top job in the Senate. When asked about a photo circulating in the media, that had Senators Akpabio, Lawan, and President Tinubu in what appeared to have been taken after a closed-door meeting, our source clarified, "There was no closed-door meeting between Senator Lawan, the President, and Akpabio. The photo was taken on inauguration day."

Recent developments indicate that some Senators-elect, who were previously voicing support for Senator Godswill Akpabio's bid for the Senate Presidency, are now reconsidering their stance. Several senators-elect have expressed concerns over Akpabio's alleged disrespect towards the legislature during his tenure as the Minister of Niger Delta. Akpabio openly accused National Assembly members of profiting from lucrative contracts in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) without providing substantial evidence.