Category: News

Access Bank, UNICEF, Fifth Chukker renew commitment to child development; to host polo charity event in Kaduna

 

Access Bank Plc., in collaboration with The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Fifth Chukker yesterday announced plans for this year’s Charity Shield Polo tournament while highlighting their commitment to leverage on it to promote the development of Nigerian children.

Often described as the grandest charity event in Nigeria and perhaps on the African continent, this year’s edition will hold from June 6 – 15, 2019 and it will have an expanded format which will see it featuring an array of international stars from across the world.

The event will feature 20 teams vying for 4 trophies, an uptick from the 15 which participated in last year’s tournament.

The Executive Director, Retail Banking, Access Bank Plc, Victor Etuokwu, said the financial institution has been involved in advancing the education of children through its polo charity event for over 10 years.

He acknowledged the support of UNICEF and Fifth Chukker in ensuring the Bank’s dream for children are realized adding that the Access Bank will by July complete its latest school building project which will cater to over 1,200 students.

“For over 10 years, Access Bank has been using polo charity events to drive educational advancements in the Northern part of Nigeria. This year, we are taking it a step further as we want to give children in that region an early start, which we hope will revitalize the educational system in the locations of focus, and give the children a chance for a better tomorrow.

“In Kaduna, we are facilitating the building of a new school which will have 60 classroom blocks and accommodate over 1,200 children. Once this is completed at the end of July, we would expand our impact to other states and consequently other regions. We are happy that we are not working alone, as we have the full support of UNICEF and Fifth Chukker and hope other banks can join us in our crusade,” he said.

Polo & Equestrian General Manager of Fifth Chukker, Barbara Zingg said that this year’s event will feature a special Children’s Day programs which will include riding lessons for 200 children, 150 of which will be underprivileged children selected by UNICEF. She also disclosed that cuisines from countries across West Africa, East Africa and Mexico will be featured as part of the cultural exchange program included in this year’s event.

Access Bank has over the years, through various schemes and projects, showcased its commitment to being more than banking. This was highlighted by the Group head, Corporate Communications, Access Bank Plc., Amaechi Okobi, who spoke on the essence of the polo charity event, saying, “Access Bank is very interested in giving back. We are well aware of the importance of children and what catering to them will do for the future of our country. So, as often as we can, through the support of organisations like UNICEF, Fifth Chukker and the media, we will continue to let Nigeria and the world know that Nigerian children and their education will not be ignored”.

This year’s event will seek to build on the successes of previous editions. So far, more than N1billion has been raised for underprivileged children in Northern Nigeria through the charity event, and this has widely been hailed as a huge step for a change in narrative for a region otherwise known for violence.

Peak Milk commences breakfast culture agenda; serves breakfast in key cities across Nigeria

 

Peak Milk, Nigeria’s supreme dairy brand has begun a crusade on the importance of a healthy breakfast – and why it is the ideal tool enabling your day to start and end well. The campaign is aimed at creating a counterculture through series of experiential and media-led activities which reinforces the breakfast custom.

As a part of awareness campaign and build up to 2019 World Milk Day on the 1st of June, the flagship product from dairy giant, FrieslandCampina WAMCO stormed key cities in Lagos, Edo, Enugu, Anambra, Abuja, and Oyo states, where children were surprised and served with sumptuous breakfast banquets during the Children’s Day parades across the country.

In a statement to the media about the campaign, Marketing Manager for Peak Milk, Maureen Ifada said, “A lot of working-class Nigerians do not bother about having breakfast and most of those who do often do not find the time. Therefore, in our steadfastness to supporting Nigerians to be unstoppable, our brand is committed to cultivating a breakfast tradition which sets the tone of your day, from start to finish.”

Also, as a tribute to the local dairy farmers whose raw milk is purchased and used in the production of Peak Milk, executives from FrieslandCampina WAMCO and Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) visited and served breakfast to dairy farmers and pastoralists in Iseyin and neighbouring communities in Oyo state. Being pioneers of the Dairy Development Programme (DDP) in Nigeria, the Peak Brand prides itself as a product being sourced through an initiative which emphasises gender inclusion and is significantly improving food and nutrition security in the country.

According to Ifada, by choosing a balanced breakfast, people can get off to the right start and fill-in the gaps likely to be missing in their diet. “Milk is a perfect breakfast complement, as it remains one of the richest natural sources of vitamins and minerals; enhancing growth and development of mental and physical performance. So, enjoy a Peak breakfast today – your guaranteed enabler to start well and end well,” Ifada concluded.

Access GMD, Herbert Wigwe shares success tips with students during Children’s Day celebration

Access Bank’s Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe, reiterated his belief in the potentials of young Nigerians and their important role in the socio-economic growth of the country, as he celebrated the Children’s Day with the students of Girls Secondary Grammar School, Ikoyi, Lagos yesterday, 27 May, 2019.

 Speaking during the visit, Mr. Wigwe shared several successful tips built on integrity, honesty, hard work, self-love, family, perseverance, developing a savings culture, even as he encouraged them to adopt the values of discipline and hard work in all their endeavours.

 “You cannot achieve success without hard work and excellence. In everything you do, be ready to go the extra mile. The biggest mistake anyone can make is to relent on one’s dream because of the fear that it is too difficult. Focus on the joy in every activity, don’t let your present circumstances ever determine your future. Don’t let anyone tell you your dreams are too big to be achieved. Beware of friends and peer groups that tell you to take shortcuts, because shortcuts always end in regrets,” he said.

 He further explained the importance of imbibing good saving habits, stating that was a necessary skill that would help them achieve their goals.

 “Many of the business leaders that we celebrate in Nigeria and all over the world started off by building a strong saving culture. Learning to save is one of the key things that young people need to imbibe, as it will help prepare you for important periods in your life and help you in starting up any business or career you choose.”

 He also joined the students in some interesting activities, as they gathered around him for a selfie photograph, which he promised to cherish always. 

 A highlight of the event was the interactive session between the Access Bank CEO and the students. Discussing with a student who explained that the school needed instructional facilities, Herbert Wigwe made a commitment to refurbish the school’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory.

Access Bank, Africa Fintech Foundry highlight innovation and partnership at 2019 Disrupt Conference, support tech startup with $10,000

 

Leading financial institution, Access Bank Plc., in collaboration with the Africa Fintech Foundry (AFF), highlighted the importance of digital innovation and strategic partnerships among stakeholders in the financial sector, as the bank hosted industry experts and tech enthusiasts to the third edition of AFF Disrupt Conference on Thursday, 16 May, 2019 at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island.

Themed ‘Digital Goldrush: Building a Sustainable Tech Economy’, the conference showcased the growing value of data as the future currency of the new tech economy through loads of interactive, fun and engaging sessions, world-class speakers and a phenomenal array of exhibitors who are industry and thought leaders in the technology space.

Giving his opening speech, the Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc., Herbert Wigwe recognized the improvement in global financial processes by advancements in technology and assured that the Bank is keeping up with the trends.

“There was a time when payments could only be made through cheques, but with technology, transactions worth billions can be made in seconds. That is how much the world has changed. As a result, Access Bank has continued to innovate through the creation and adoption of modern banking tools and by leveraging on partnerships with FinTechs such as AFF to reinvent and modernize our banking processes,” he said.

A highlight of the conference was the demo pitch session which saw various innovators showcase their applications and new technology, explaining the solutions created to teeming participants. At the end of an intense session, Gricd, whose product, GRICD Frij is an affordable and portable cold chain device for efficient storage of vaccines, blood and other health/agricultural products won, earning a grant of $10,000.

In his keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer of Moven, United Kingdom, Brett King emphasized the importance of technology adoption to banking processes and also addressed the growing fear of robots replacing humans in the banking halls.

He explained that banking no longer depended on physical spaces, which has reduced the friction in banking processes and massively increased delivery.

“Technology is moving faster than ever before and in an environment with such rapid change, you either disrupt or get disrupted. Hence, if you are resistant to change as a banker in an evolving ecosystem like Nigeria’s, we need to start helping you look for a job outside banking,” he said.

At the conference, speakers and panelists identified women as key proponents to ensure the growth and success of financial technology in Nigeria, urging them to be more collaborative and assertive in seeking to disrupt the Nigerian digital space.

Emphasizing the point, the Chairman, Zinox Group Nigeria, Leo Stan Ekeh, during an interactive session with Access Bank’s Deputy Group Managing Director, Roosevelt Ogbonna said, “Women are the smartest money makers and disruptors. Investors are looking to invest in female entrepreneurs and techpreneurs working together. So it has become more imperative that women begin to take advantage of these opportunities and the collective power that they have”.

Other speakers at the event include Bunmi Akinyemiju, Chief Executive Officer, Venture Garden Group; Boye Ademola, Partner and Lead for Digital Transformation, KPMG, Nigeria; Phil Spencer, Executive Vice-President, Gaming, Microsoft, United States of America; Reginald Kawarusa, Executive Commisioner: Legal and Enforcement, Securities and Exchange Commision; Sam Okojere, Director of Payments and Settlements, Central Bank of Nigeria; Funke Opeke, Chief Executive Officer, MainOne; Segun Aina, President, Fintech Association of Nigeria, among others.

Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju’s directorial debut stage drama, Lavender starts today at the Muson Centre, Lagos

Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju’s directorial debut stage drama, Lavender starts today, 12 April, 2019 at the Lagos Theatre Festival 2019, featuring captivating performances from Kehinde Bankole, Deyemi Okanlawon, Rita Edward and Oludara Egerton-Shyngle.

Written by Ademola Soares, and produced and directed by Lala, the drama enlightens the audience on surrogacy – exploring the relationship between a young woman and her older best friend who is unable to have children.

The 4-man stage play is presented by The Make It Happen Productions which is owned and run by Lala.

As Lala’s directorial debut, Lavender represents another ground-breaking project from the award-winning producer known for brilliant plays such as ’The V Monologues’ and her critically acclaimed one-woman show ‘Naked’. She also has credits as associate producer on Ndani TV’s ‘Gidi Up’, co-producer on Akin Omotoso’s ‘The Ghost and the House of Truth’ and Ishaya Bako’s new film, ‘4th Republic’.

Lavender will show three times during the festival, commencing with a command performance today at the Muson Centre, Onikan, followed by two performances each on Saturday 13 April and Sunday, 14 April, 2019 at Freedom Park, Lagos.

For purchase of ticket, visit rave.flutterwave.com/pay/lavendertheplay or call 0807 860 4967.

David Beckham, Malaria No More launches first global voice petition to end malaria

David Beckham, former captain of the English national football team, today joined Malaria No More, a United Kingdom-based organisation to launch the world’s first voice petition to end malaria with the campaign Malaria Must Die, So Millions Can Live.

In a short film using emerging AI video synthesis technology, the petition reveals David Beckham speaking nine languages – calling on people to join the campaign and demand action by visiting malariamustdie.com. The petition aims to get the attention of world leaders ahead of critical funding decisions for the Global Fund, to tackle malaria in six months’ time.

Through Beckham, eight malaria survivors including Dr Elvis Eze, Marie Murorunkwere, Hussein Omar and Jean Bosco Niyonzima, are using their stories to help raise awareness about malaria’s devastating effects.

Dr Elvis Eze and David Beckham

The film opens with Beckham speaking in English but changes as he begins to speak fluently in Spanish, Kinyarwanda, Arabic, French, Hindi, Mandarin, Kiswahili and Yoruba – each language representing a part of the world affected by malaria.

Dr Elvis Eze, whose voice features in the film speaking Yoruba said, “My life changed when I worked at a hospital in Lagos, Nigeria and I saw the intolerable toll of malaria. It doesn’t have to be this way. I now work for the NHS in the UK and have seen how this is a global challenge. Through the Voice Petition, we each have a chance to inspire change wherever we are”.

The ‘Malaria Must Die’ campaign is designed to amplify the voices of those affected by malaria and gives everyone the opportunity to speak out. Each voice collected via the petition will contribute to a unique piece of audio art known as a sound sculpture, grabbing the attention of leaders in a unique and memorable way.

Speaking in a statement, David Beckham said: “I have been working with Malaria No More UK for over 10 years and to be a part of this campaign and to help share some of the real stories behind malaria is really important to me. Dr. Elvis Eze who was with us on set has suffered from malaria many times and as a doctor, he has seen how dangerous this disease can be. For me, it was so important to learn how he is using his experiences to raise awareness of malaria with young people in the UK and abroad. It’s unacceptable that malaria still kills a child every two minutes so please add your voice to the petition.”

David Beckham is a founding member of Malaria No More UK Leadership Council and a committed champion in the fight against malaria with over a decade of support for Malaria No More UK. In his long-term role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, he has seen the impact of malaria on people’s lives in countries such as Sierra Leone.

History shows that ending malaria is achievable with the right resources and action. Since 2000, a combination of powerful new tools increased investment and strengthened international political commitment including from the UK, has cut malaria deaths globally by more than 60%, saving almost 7 million lives, mainly young children.

Watch the video here and here.

Award-winning photographer, Emmanuel Oyeleke unveils second solo exhibition, The Huemanist

Nigerian visual artist and fashion photographer, Emmanuel Oyeleke, launched his second solo exhibition themed ‘The Huemanist’, today at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The exhibition which was attended by notable personalities is intended to directly impact the society, as a percentage of proceeds goes towards supporting Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), a non-profit organization established to raise awareness and address the prevalence of sexual assault, rape and human trafficking occurring amongst young girls and women.

The Huemanist is a collection of pictures that explore several elements of the human experience. The approach focuses on the innate human capacity to be good, to love, and overcome hardship and achieve self-actualization and satisfaction in life.

Speaking at the event, Emmanuel Oyeleke said, “I hope that the pieces will resonate with the viewers on a personal level and that the viewers will not only see the works and be inspired but be as a mirror reflecting positivity in their lives and society”.

Capturing an optimistic and individualistic outlook about the human experience, the collection employs the use of minimal aesthetics, hues, and floral entities throughout the body of work. The techniques include the use of paint on bodies, large canvas prints to give a life-size experience, collages, multiple exposure, and mixed media.

The weeklong exhibition starts on Friday, 5 April and runs till Thursday, 11 April 2019 at Terra Kulture Art Gallery.

Access Bank announces dual listing of N15 billion Corporate Green Bond

 

Access Bank Plc. is pleased to announce the dual-listing of a fully certified Green Bond on the FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange and the Nigerian Stock Exchange. This follows the formal approval of the bond by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Bond is the first of its kind to be issued by an African corporate and represents a major milestone in the development of the local green finance market.

The N15 Billion, 5-year Fixed Rate Senior Unsecured Green Bond is rated AA- by Agusto & Co, the underlying framework is verified by PwC (UK) and certified by the Climate Bond Initiative as having met the Global Climate Bonds Standard.

The issuance was fully subscribed by way of bookbuild. The Bond is priced at a coupon of 15.5%, with participation from a wide range of asset managers and pension fund administrators.

The listing of the bond closely follows the completion of the Bank’s merger with Diamond Bank and the launch of its new brand identity that fuses the Bank and Diamond Bank’s visual identities symbolizing their shared philosophy.

The Green Bond issuance highlights the Bank’s commitment to sustainability and its status as a pioneer in green financing in both the domestic and international capital markets. The bond comes amidst a global drive for responsible and sustainable green financing and will allow the financing of new loans and refinancing of existing loans in accordance with the Bank’s Green Bond Framework. It will support projects directed at flood defence, solar generation facilities and agriculture.

Speaking on the occasion of this landmark listing, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, said:

“At Access Bank we are a pioneer in both domestic and international capital markets, leading the way with our commitment to sustainable banking. We hope that this bond issuance inspires other African companies to support the long-term development of the green finance market whilst simultaneously realizing the growth potential of the fast-developing low carbon economy.”

Praising Access Bank’s efforts in promoting sustainability in Africa through the financing of green projects, Justine Leigh-Bell, the Climate Bonds Deputy CEO said:

“This first Climate Bond certified corporate green bond out of Africa represents a major milestone in the development of the local green finance market. In addition to being an inspiration to other private companies, the leadership demonstrated by Access Bank is critical for the long term development of the green finance market in Nigeria and a great example for other African nations to follow.”

RED | For Africa CEO, Adebola Williams, to be hosted by Young Global Leaders in Nigeria

Adebola Williams will today be hosted to a welcome party at the Capital Club, Lagos by Young Global Leaders based in Nigeria.

Initiated by the World Economic Forum, Young Global Leaders is a forum which creates experiences for the next generation of global leaders to enhance their skills and broaden their world view through a peer network that challenges innovators.

Williams was selected among thousands of nominations from across the world following a rigorous vetting process designed to identify global leaders and young visionaries working to shape the future through inspired leadership. Read More

From Africa to the world | A letter from RED, as 2019 kicks into gear

Our fourth presidential win.

It was completely worth waiting for before writing this year’s letter. Our company, StateCraft Inc., after almost two years of sterling work in Senegal, ended it with its fourth win in a presidential election, and its first in Francophone Africa.

Of course, electoral wins are not created by consulting companies. The candidate, the country’s citizens, the campaign machinery, and the passionate volunteers are responsible for every victory. It is a privilege to bask in the reflection of that shining light.

With that glow, StateCraft Inc. has officially made our media group, RED one of the leading communication and consulting firms on the continent – working across Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Senegal, in addition of course to Nigeria – and, without a doubt, the leading elections and governance consulting company in these parts.

But what makes us proudest is the thing that came easiest to us – this is a completely home grown African company. Our ambitions have always been global, our vision has always been African, our sights have been set across borders, but we are completely made-in-Africa.

But it’s still a small miracle isn’t it? The chief executive officer of the group, Adebola Williams has delivered keynotes and sat at panels at Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Oxford and Yale including a standing ovation from President Barack Obama. I have been priviledged to do the same across these schools and to be selected for programmes at Yale and Oxford and Stanford. Our team members from Isime Esene to Remi Ogunkayo have also had this priviledge by virtue of our work. But we are all home-made African products.

I like to say I am born, bred and buttered in Nigeria. I went to nursery, primary, secondary and university schools in Nigeria, and got my Master’s degree from a Nigerian city, and so did much of our management. When people say ‘from Nigeria or Africa to the world’ in our case, it is literally that.

And that makes us very proud. That makes it impossible for us to be anything but true believers in the limitless potential that our continent gives, I remember saying to my colleague Roqeebah Olaoniye as we spent time in Freetown in early 2018 consulting on the country’s elections, and the possibilities it offers within and beyond borders.

We set out to build a global company, and – pulling ourselves by the bootstraps without debt, investment or any other kind of intervention – we see ourselves steadily doing that, even as we are just now scratching the surface of the scale of our vision.

The Future Awards Africa already spread its reach across over a dozen countries in the past 13 years since it moved from idea to institution – it is set to hold its first franchise event in Ghana this year. Our Media and Public Relations Agency, Red Media Africa has also worked for clients across markets from Ghana to South Africa.

This network of media companies continue to be as focused as it ever was on one mission: being the media network that can galvanise the largest number of Sub Saharan Africa’s youth at any time. The vision includes a massive continental network of television, event and digital platforms supported by a web of communication and consulting companies. It is, we dare say, the kind of media company that has yet no model to follow, and a path that we are clearing with both confidence and trepidation, humility and a sense of pride.

And to do that, we have blazed a trail in creating a global best-practise institution that takes a keen interest in its systems and processes. A historic handover of the group chief executive position in 2016 has also led to the appointment of chief executives across the  companies under the group on the inside, and a process of internal engineering from one of the most dedicated + driven teams you will find anywhere has created a sparkling brand on the outside.

RED | For Africa.

That’s who we are. That’s what we are. That’s why we are.

Proudly home-grown. Proudly African. Proudly global.

Oh, and just before I sent this off to be published, Adebola was announced the latest Young Global Leader for Nigeria by the World Economic Forum.

2019 has already begun to witness our incredible excitement.

Chude Jideonwo

Chief Storyteller

18/03/2019

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