In fulfilment of its mission to be the bank of choice for women, Access Bank partnered with Naija Brand Chick (NBC) to organise the largest female-dominated trade fair in Nigeria. The 5th edition of the NBC trade fair which held in Lagos on April 9th and 10th, 2022 attracted thousands of shoppers and had over 200 promising entrepreneurs exhibit and increase sales on their products and services.

The two-day fair recorded about N100 million in gross sales. This success is attributed to the availability of seamless payment solutions by Access Bank and is evidenced by testimonials from entrepreneurs and shoppers alike.

Speaking on the success of the fair and the importance of investing in female entrepreneurs, Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head, Women Banking said, “partnering with Naija Brand Chick to organise the NBC trade fair was strategic to our vision to change the narrative for female entrepreneurs by providing opportunities for them to scale up and access new markets for profitability. The trade fair was indeed successful, and this is just the beginning for us. We intend to double the impact and sustain our position as the best bank for women entrepreneurs in Africa.”

Ayodele Olojede, Group Head, Emerging Business highlighted that, “Supporting SMEs is a strategic goal for Access Bank and collaborating with Naija Brand Chick provided us with an opportunity to achieve this goal. The trade fair provided our SMEs the opportunity to reach out to a larger group of customers as well as provided an avenue to network with other businesses. It provided a lot of the businesses which were predominantly online an avenue to connect personally with their customers, build credibility for their brands and increase their customer base. We were also able to leverage our payment platform- Swift Pay, which allowed users without ATM cards to easily pay for items bought at the fair, facilitate easy reconciliation and have payments confirmed without delays.”

Access Bank through the W Initiative has enabled women entrepreneurs access discounted financing through the W Power Loan and participate in capacity building programs like the IFC Mini MBA. The Bank also confirms its passion for SMEs through the Emerging Business proposition for businesses in Africa.

Access Bank remains committed to inspiring, connecting, and empowering women through the W Initiative- the home of everything the Bank has to offer women in Africa.

As part of its unwavering commitment to improving diversity, equity and inclusion in the African entertainment space, multimedia giant Paramount Africa (home to the biggest and iconic entertainment brands like BET, MTV, MTV Base & Nickelodeon) has published its new insights study titled ‘Reflecting Me: Representation on Screen’.

This wealth of research– derived from surveys from 2.5 million kids, teens, young adults and adults spanning 73 countries– directly reflects consumer insights, exploring how different people of varying ages perceive representation on-screen with particular focus on spectrums encompassing ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, disability, amongst others.

Focusing on Nigeria, as one of Africa’s biggest social hubs, the study focused on how certain target groups comprising 1008 people aged 13-49 across six regions (North-Central, North-East, North-West, South-East, South-South and South-West) felt about representation on-screen. Findings were obtained through remote video interviews and immersive digital experiences amongst diverse audiences in order to bypass geographical and COVID-19 constraints.

Giuliana Dias, Director of Research and Insights Division at Paramount Africa, said that the study was aimed at ensuring that Paramount Africa has an impact on the issue of diversity and representation.

Commenting on the results, she said, “The study outcomes direct and shape how on-screen content should look and feel, and also shows that improvement is necessary in many aspects”.

The statistics revealed that 94 percent of people of different ethnicities and cultures in relatively equal proportions agree that companies making TV shows and movies should commit to increasing diversity and representation on-screen. 89 percent, however, were of the opinion that these companies should commit to increasing diversity and representation off-screen.

However, majority (90%) of the respondents agreed that change is needed with regards to on-screen representation as there needs to be more diversity in TV shows and movies. 64% were satisfied with the current levels of representation on screen, while 40% feel there needs to be a variety of types of groups and identities represented in TV shows and movies.

The study further revealed that poor representation affects Nigerians’ sense of belonging, self-esteem and confidence, making a case for more accurate representation in TV shows and movies as they influence perceptions in the real world.

“The screen is considered by many to be a depiction of what happens in society. While we may argue that imagination plays a crucial role in shaping what is aired on TV and other visual platforms, imagination is never completely independent of reality. Hence, when we do not adequately represent people on-screen, it sends a message that they are not seen, they are not heard and they do not matter. This is one thing we are working actively prioritising across all of channel brands”, said Bada Akintunde-Johnson, Country Manager (Nigeria), Paramount Africa.

Country Manager (Nigeria) for Paramount Africa, Akintunde Bada Johnson noted that the study is insightful and enlightening, citing it as “a definite and encompassing inquiry into the modern African predisposition towards diversity and inclusivity in media and entertainment.”

“Media, in all its forms, has immense power to shape perception. Television, films and digital media can influence how we see others but more importantly, how we see ourselves. As Nigeria’s and indeed Africa’s foremost screen content creators, Paramount Africa will continue fostering accurate and authentic on-screen representation that conveys inclusivity at its highest – helping our viewers break down perception barriers, open them up to new ideas as well as provide powerful and inspiring role models,” he concluded.

For more information on Reflecting Me: Representation on Screen, read the insightful study here: https://insights.viacomcbs.com/post/global-audiences-want-better-representation-on-screen/.

The Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards is here again, and Amstel Malta as the headline sponsor of this year’s edition is set to put the spotlight on a male and female young Nigerian, getting them to experience the glitz and glam of the event as fan reporters.

The AMVCAs will commence on the 7th of May, and end on the 14th of May. In between the line-up of activities and events, the Amstel Malta fan reporters will be granted the experience of interviewing celebrities on the red carpet, the Amstel Malta couch sessions as well as other segments of the event. Events the fan reporters will attend include: Opening Night, Fashion Show, Cultural Day & Food Festival and AMVCA Gala.

If you have the charm, charisma and poise to be Amstel Malta’s fan reporter for the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards, show us how you will interview a celebrity in a one-minute video on Instagram and post with the hashtag #AmstelMaltaAMVCAFanReporter2. To know more and be considered, you need to follow Amstel Malta on all social media platforms. Entries close on May 2nd, 2022.

Leading entertainment and youth culture brand, MTV Base, has announced that the first 2022 edition of its highly anticipated quarterly music discourse, Musicology, will delve into the world of hashtags and retweets to explore the Impact of Social media on the Music Industry. The discourse is set to air on Thursday, 14 April 2022 on MTV Base DStv Channel 322 and GOtv Channel 72 at 20:00 WAT / 21:00 CAT.

The contributors this quarter include Grammy-nominated music producer, Timi “TMXO” Aladeloba; Executive Vice President, Music, at Chocolate City, Ibukun “Aibee” Abidoye; Beat FM On-Air Personality, Osikhena “Osi Suave” Dirisu; social media influencer, Pamilerin Adegoke, and Content Programmer, MTV Base Africa, Ejino Valentine.

Moderated by actor, media personality and Culture Squad member, Folu Storms, the panelists will discuss everything from the everyday management of music artists in the digital age to building artiste-fan relationships and the impact of video-focused social networking platforms like TikTok.

“Social media has changed everything from how we discover new talents to how we make things go viral. Society has moved beyond getting content from TV and radio to consuming content from smartphones and computers because of the growing influence of social media. Evidently, society has evolved from merely consuming content to creating content as well, and this has had a ripple effect. Songs and videos spread faster and so do scandals,” Bada Akintunde-Johnson, Country Manager for Paramount, commented on the evolving social media landscape and its resulting impact on the music industry.

“To get the best in the age of this new media, it has become increasingly important that artistes and creatives as a whole become adept at navigating the complex world that is social media. In this new episode, we will discuss everything from snagging your audience’s attention to building a cult following and very interesting topics around the relevance of mainstream media,” he concluded.

To be a part of this quarter’s edition of Musicology, tune in to MTV Base Channel 322 on DStv and GOtv Channel 72, by 20:00 WAT / 21:00 CAT. You can join the conversation using the hashtag #MTVBaseMusicology or follow @mtvbasewest on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.

In recent times, financial service providers and customers alike have been faced with the persistent problem of e-banking frauds. As technology has evolved, society has become more sophisticated, and fraudsters have gained more dexterity in the act of swindling people of their hard-earned money. From skimming to phishing and card swapping, fraudsters have acquired many tactics to cleverly divest unsuspecting customers of their funds.

Of all the common tactics contained in the arsenals of fraudsters, ‘card swapping’ has become one of the most rampant in recent times. With ‘card swapping’, fraudsters obtain and swap ATM cards from unsuspecting victims by distracting them as they use, ATMs or, feign concern when customers encounter difficulties while transacting and offering assistance.

To prevent more customers from falling prey to this tactic, Africa’s largest retail bank, Access Bank PLC, has outlined security tips to educate its users on how to protect their cards against fraudulent activities. Some of these are;

I. Before you slot in your card, ensure you have the privacy of some meters as you Ensure there is no stranger close to you as you use the ATM.

II. If you cannot retrieve your card from the ATM or notice suspicious moves, immediately put a call through to the call center: 0127120057 or visit the nearest branch for card blockage.

III. Request the assistance of the branch manager if you encounter some challenges at the ATM. Never seek help from strangers nor hand over your card to anyone, even the security guard.

IV. After your transaction, remember to retrieve your card and receipt (if you requested for one) before exiting the premises.

While these measures are put in place to ensure customers engage with smartness, Access Bank continues to solidify its position as an anti-fraud leading agent, equipping its

customers with measures to protect themselves while providing avenues through its communicative channels to guarantee unrivalled services.

If you suspect your privacy being threatened as you use the ATM, abort the transaction as quickly as possible and exit the area. If your mobile device has been stolen, immediately dial *901*911# from any available phone to deactivate your USSD profile. Thereafter, call: 01-2712005-7 to report the incident. You can also send a mail to [email protected] or speak directly to a banking agent using the direct message feature across the Bank’s verified social media handles.

If your card has been stolen or misplaced, block it immediately using the AccessMore app. Additionally, never reveal or share sensitive information such as your BVN, PIN, CVV, One-Time Password(OTP) or your 16-digit card number with anyone.

Stay safe, be vigilant, be fraud smart!

Access Bank’s women empowerment arm, the ‘W’ Initiative, has welcomed a new set of twins through its Maternal Health Service Support (MHSS) Scheme.

The scheme, which was created to ease the financial burden associated with accessing both local and international fertility treatments and natal support, was accessed by one of Access Bank’s customers last year—the result of which is a twin birth following a successful In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedure in Port Harcourt.

“Fertility treatments and natal supports are generally expensive, making them inaccessible to many families who need them. More so, many of these treatments require multiple cycles completed to increase the success probability. Each cycle and each treatment increases the financial burden families have to face to bear the children they desire,” said Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head, W Initiative Access Bank.

“Unfortunately, these treatments do not guarantee the desired results. Many families have had to go through them repeatedly, which makes the financial requirements crushing. We launched the Maternal Health Service Support to help families shoulder that burden. We are ecstatic over the news of our customer’s set of twins, and we look forward to hearing more positive news in the near future,” she added.

Since its launch, Access Bank has disbursed over N211 Million in loans through the MHSS, positively impacting hundreds of women with low-cost health financing that has thus far resulted in 78 births.

The MHSS serves as the ‘W’ Initiative’s vehicle to finance various health procedures, including fibroid treatments, bone marrow transplants, child delivery, weight loss, surrogacy amongst others.

Women interested in accessing the benefits of this scheme are encouraged to send a direct email to [email protected] or call 01-2273005 or visit the W community website at www.thewcommunity.com.

Lerai has been announced as the first ever African host for the broadcast on the continent of Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards on NickToons. The world’s biggest and slimiest award show, honouring the finest in television, movies, music, and sports as voted on by Nickelodeon network viewers across the world, is returning. Every year, The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards improves and returns better than the previous year, and this year will be no exception. In a first for Africa, Lerai will serving as the show’s host locally, stepping up as the companion to take Africa through the awards show and injecting some extra local flavour along the way. “Lerai made history as the first African influencer and presenter for the channel when NickMusic launched in May 2021. Now, she has been named as the first African host of the Kids’ Choice Awards, which is incredible news. We will continue to support her in her growth and be a partner in driving her talent to new heights in her career,” says Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Paramount in Africa. “It is incredible to see young African talent grow and represent the continent globally. Lerai being selected to host the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, is testament that our talent is on-par with the rest of the world. We are proud to be the home of channels like Nickelodeon that promote African talent locally and globally” said Georginah Machiridza, Executive Head Content Strategy & 3rd Party Channels at MultiChoice. “This has been such a wonderful way to begin the year; I’m delighted that my efforts have been recognized not only locally and across the continent, but have given me the opportunity to play a part in the global phenomenon that is the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, and I am not taking it lightly. I’m grateful for the constant support I get from the team at Paramount, and the love from all the Nick cheering fans,” NickMusic presenter, Lerai ,stated. Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards bring children and families from all around the world together by giving them a place to celebrate their favourite personalities. The awards show will feature an exciting line-up of unforgettable performances, special moments, and appearances by some of the biggest stars. The Lerai-hosted Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2022 will broadcast

on NickToons (DStv Channel 308) on 13 April 2022 at 13:30 WAT / 14:30 CAT. Information about how fans in the African region can get involved and cast votes for their favourite will be announced in the coming weeks, stay tuned to the official Kids’ Choice Awards website, KidsChoiceAwards.com for updates. Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2022 is sponsored by The LEGO® Group, the Kirby and the Forgotten Land™ game, Lunchables, and Olive Garden®. Share It: @Nickelodeon @KidsChoiceAwards #KCA Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2022 is produced by Nickelodeon Productions and overseen by Ashley Kaplan, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon & Awesomeness Unscripted & Digital Franchise Studio; Paul J Medford, Vice President, Unscripted Current Series; Luke Wahl, Vice President, Unscripted Creative; and Jennifer Bryson, Vice President, Production, Tentpoles, Events & Music & Specials. Michael Dempsey serves as executive producer, with Magda Liolis, Andria Parides, Kathryn Rickey and Greg Sills serving as co-executive producers. The show is directed by Glenn Weiss. Nickelodeon, now in its 42nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon is a part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment brands.

In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2022, media entrepreneur and author, Adebola Williams has joined forces with the First Lady of Kwara State and CEO of Ajike People Support Centre, Her Excellency, Amb. Dr. Mrs Olufolake Abdulrazaq to equip the next generation of African Power Girls through an insightful capacity-building event scheduled to hold on 24th March 2022 at the Banquet Hall, Ilorin.

Themed ‘Building the Next Generation of African Power Girls’, the event seeks to empower women with essential leadership skills and strategically position them for personal and organisational success.

“Raising the next generation of African Power Girls require all hands on deck,” said Her Excellency, Amb. Dr. Mrs Olufolake Abdulrazaq.

“We need to give the next generation of women the leverage they need to maximise their potential and transform the world. This can only be achieved by creating meaningful platforms like these to help boost their self-esteem and allow them to participate on an equal platform as their male counterparts. We must also not leave out our boys — as they must be prepared for a world where both genders can lead side by side in various sectors,” she concluded.

Author of the world’s first-ever compendium of inspirational stories of African female leaders, Adebola Williams added that building the next generation of African Power Girls is “a product of maximising the successes of our sheroes past”.

“There is an incredible mind shift that happens when you see someone who looks and talks like you achieve phenomenal things,” said Williams.

“Through this event, we will show the next generation of African Power Girls that the only things that are impossible are the ones they refuse to do. Beyond painting possibilities, we will also offer the help they need to break through barriers. Every top-flying African female—at least those I am familiar with—can attest to having someone who

encouraged them to pursue their dreams, revalidated their desires and visions and gave them a much-needed boost. This is what we seek to achieve through this event,” he concluded.

Adebola Williams is the group CEO of RED | For Africa. Referred to as the man with the golden touch, he is the author of several revolutionary books— the most recent being a 3-volume compendium detailing the awe-inspiring stories of some of Africa’s superwomen titled ‘African Power Girls.’

AFRICAN SUPERSTARS LEAD WITH NOMINATIONS AT THE NICKELODEON KIDS’ CHOICE AWARDS

MIRANDA COSGROVE AND ROB GRONKOWSKI TO CO-HOST NICKELODEON’S KIDS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2022

African superstars from a variety of disciplines are set to be celebrated in this year’s Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2022, with an exciting list of nominees unveiled by Nickelodeon Africa. Nominees in the Favourite African Star category are Focalistic, Major League DJz, Makhadzi, Pitso Mosimane and Tems, while the Favourite African Kidfluencer category sees the spotlight placed on Adaeze Onuigbo, Masaka Kids Africana, Sassy Taylor Morrison, Sbahle Mzizi, Uncle Vinny, and Witney Ramabulana. Focalistic, also known as President of the Street, has a long history of lifting the African flag on a global scale, having been nominated for and winning a number of international awards and this time he’s gotten the attention of the kids. The Major League DJz were no surprise to see on the list considering how they have been vital in bringing “Amapiano to the World” to life, having recently signed a global record deal with Atlantic Records. Makhadzi has come a long way from street singing to being recognized for her achievements and as a kids favourite. Pitso Mosimane sets the bar for what a football coach can be and is a great example of how a career in sport can be extended well beyond years as a professional player. Tems is double-nominated this year – in addition to being nominated as an African Star, she’s representing Africa in the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award category for Global Music Star. “I’m ecstatic to have been nominated for the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2022. It’s a dream come true to be recognized and appreciated all around the world. I’d like to congratulate and wish all of the African nominees the best of luck this year,” says Tems. Voting is live across both local categories as well as the Global Music Star category and African fans can head to http://kca.nickelodeon.tv/ to make their votes count The Favourite Africa Kidfluencer category boasts Adaeze Onuigbo, a talented and intelligent actress who is regarded as one of the fast rising young actress in Nollywood while Uncle Vinny, the South African MTV Base VJ and social media sensation will be a popular nominee. The dance moves of the Masaka Kids Africana have seen their posts go viral around the globe and those moves will no doubt keep them in hot contention as they continue on their mission to support

children in education and social well-being, through their talents. Lastly, we have Sassy Taylor Morrison and Sbahle Mzizi who may be amongst the youngest in the category but have both made waves (under the close eyes of their parents) on social media. News on the international front is that Actress Miranda Cosgrove (iCarly) and NFL superstar Rob Gronkowski will take on the slimiest roles of their lives as co-hosts of Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards. For the first time ever, the show will feature 1,000 epic slimings and dozens of fun-filled pranks celebrating fan-favorite stars across the worlds of film, television, music, sports and more. This year’s show will also feature Nickelodeon’s signature blimp as it ventures into the metaverse with celebrity avatars. “We are especially proud of the incredible diversity of representation across the continent and congratulate all nominees who are positively representing Africa at this global event,”says Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Paramount in Africa. Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2022 will broadcast on NickToons (DStv Channel 308) on 13 April 2022 at 13:30 WAT / 14:30 CAT. The show will also air on Nickelodeon (DStv channel 305) on 13 April 2022 at 15:50 WAT / 16:50 CAT. Information about how fans in the African region can get involved and cast votes for their favourite will be announced in the coming weeks, stay tuned to the official Kids’ Choice Awards website, KidsChoiceAwards.com for updates. Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2022 is sponsored by The LEGO® Group, the Kirby and the Forgotten Land™ game, Lunchables, and Olive Garden®. Share It: @Nickelodeon @KidsChoiceAwards #KCA Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards 2022 is produced by Nickelodeon Productions and overseen by Ashley Kaplan, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon & Awesomeness Unscripted & Digital Franchise Studio; Paul J Medford, Vice President, Unscripted Current Series; Luke Wahl, Vice President, Unscripted Creative; and Jennifer Bryson, Vice President, Production, Tentpoles, Events & Music & Specials. Michael Dempsey serves as executive producer, with Magda Liolis, Andria Parides, Kathryn Rickey and Greg Sills serving as co-executive producers. The show is directed by Glenn Weiss. Miranda Cosgrove is an actress, singer and star of Nickelodeon’s original iCarly series. Recently, she can currently be seen hosting and executive producing CBS Saturday Morning’s Mission Unstoppable alongside Geena Davis, as well as starring in the feature films North Hollywood and 3022. She has lent her voice as Margo in the Despicable Mefranchise and has received rave reviews for her work ever since her first starring role in the film School of Rock. As a singer, Cosgrove’s first solo album, Sparks Fly, debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200 chart, with her first single, “Kissin U,” quickly becoming officially certified RIAA gold. On social media, she has amassed over 29 million followers across all her platforms.

Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski is an American football tight end for the National Football League (NFL) and four-time Super Bowl champion. Gronk is no stranger to Nickelodeon, having won coveted orange blimps at Kids’ Choice Sports and hosting Nickelodeon’s viral video series, Crashletes. For more bio information on Rob Gronkowski, click here. He is represented by UTA and managed by Henry Penzi at Pay It Forward Entertainment Nickelodeon, now in its 42nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon is a part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PARA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment brand