Africa’s largest retail customer bank, Access Bank, has been announced as the ‘Outstanding Healthcare SME-Friendly Bank of the Year’ at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA) 2019 held recently at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos.

This represents a fourth consecutive win at the event, after winning the same award in 2016, 2017, and also emerged winner of the ‘Outstanding CSR Health Project of the Year’ in 2018.

The annual Nigerian Health Excellence Award is an initiative of the Global Health Project and Resources, in partnership with Anadach Group, United States. The awards recognise and commend institutions that have made laudable contributions towards the growth of the healthcare sector in Nigeria, and focus on improving policy framework for achieving global standards of healthcare while encouraging market leadership and inspirationalperformance in Nigeria.

Receiving the award, Omobolanle Victor- Laniyan, Head, Sustainability at Access Bank said, “Access Bank has an unwavering commitment to significantly improve the healthsector in Nigeria. Therefore, as a Bank, we have studied the health sector and identified inadequate financing as a causal factor for the poor healthcare system in Nigeria.”

This discovery, she maintained, has led the Bank to create products to solve the problem.

“An example is our MHSS product, which provides our customers with the support they need for special medical procedures. We have also formed strategic partnerships withinstitutions such as Medical Credit Fund (MCF), Hygeia and other medical organisations which have enabled us to provide financing to a larger base of health practitioners that our customers can benefit from as well. We are extremely honored to be receiving this award, and on behalf of Access Bank, we say thank you,” she stated.

Corroborating the statement, Ayodele Oloyede, Head, Emerging Businesses, Access Bank said, “Our Bank is notable for being at the forefront of sustainable partnerships for reforms and development of Nigeria. SMEs are one of the key drivers of economic growth by virtue of their contribution to employment and wealth creation, and we also know that good healthcare is important to productivity. This is why Access Bank supports Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises as part of its measures to help boost the Nigerian Economy.”

Through the Maternal Health Service Support, its healthcare financing product, Access Bank has helped over 107 families obtain a range of medical procedures including In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and other specialized procedures as Myomectomy, Bariatric, Dental and Orthopedic procedures. This has led to the birth of more than 58 babies, successful infant bone surgeries, fibroid treatments and other maternal-related procedures.

The Bank remains proud of the impact it has recorded within the health sector, and has promised to continue to intervene at both the service provider level and consumer level, since its funding of these procedures improves the cash flow of the healthcare providers and ensures that customers enjoy healthy living.

Ben Langat, Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, management and staff volunteers of the giant dairy company recently took to the streets to serve nourishing Peak Milk breakfast to Nigerian masses amid fun and music as part of the June 2019 World Milk Day celebration.

Leading the Peak healthy dairy breakfast campaign, Langat, and his top team assembled and set up breakfast serving points as early as 8.00am at numerous bus parks and market places in Agege, Ogba, Lagos Island, FESTAC, Ajah, Mushin and Obalende among other popular locations on Saturday June 1, 2019.

Raising awareness on the health benefits of proper nourishment at the start of each new day, smiling FrieslandCampina WAMCO breakfast hosts and hostesses, while handing-out breakfast packs to people taught them the importance of eating healthy breakfast, which includes milk.

As part of its corporate social responsibility, FrieslandCampina WAMCO tagged the days leading up to the World Milk Day as “National Breakfast Week” and amplified the necessity of daily dairy based breakfast, which is often ignored by many.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO volunteers served Peak Milk breakfasts to over one million Nigerians across FCT Abuja, Lagos, Oyo, Edo and Enugu states thus gradually establishing a counterculture to prioritize breakfasts again.

In a statement to the media, Langat said the World Milk Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of dairy in healthy diets.

He said, “As a socially responsible corporation, we are spreading the message on having a nourishing breakfast that includes milk to optimize our physical and mental potential throughout the day. Have a Peak breakfast today and remain unstoppable.

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and Peak, being committed to quality dairy nutrition since 1954 aims to revive the breakfast culture in Nigeria,” Langat concluded.

The National Breakfast Week, a first-of-a-kind initiative by Peak Milk also comprised of Children’s Day breakfast banquets across the country and a courtesy breakfast occasion with dairy farmers in Iseyin, Oyo state, who provide the raw milk purchased and used in the production of Peak Milk —- through the company’s Dairy Development Programme.

The Dairy Development Programme (DDP) initiated by FrieslandCampina WAMCO is a socio-economic driver that provides sustainable growth for dairy farmers and other stakeholders. It presents opportunities for local dairy farmers while significantly improving food and nutrition security in Nigeria.

World Milk Day is an international day established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to recognize the importance of milk as a global food. Since 2001, it has been observed on June 1 each year and provides an opportunity to bring attention to activities that relate to the dairy sector.

Radio personality and author, Toke Makinwa was among the celebrities that graced the exclusive listening party of Omawumi’s new LP titled, ‘In Her Feelings’ which took place yesterday at Twin Waters, Lekki, Lagos.

Hosted by comedienne, Chigul, the event had in attendance Noble Igwe, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Nikky Laoye, Latasha Ngwube, Adebola Williams and others.

See attached photos:

Chris Ubosi, Toke Makinwa, Sheyi Shay, Ebuka, Bisola Aiyeola, were among the celebrities who attended the exclusive listening of Omawumi’s new EP titled ‘In Her Feelings’.

The EP which featured amazing songs addressing thematic issues like family, relationships, and domestic violence had the music royalty herself performing all the songs with her powerful vocal dexterity.

The event which held today at The View Rooftop, Twin Waters, Lekki, was hosted by comedian, Chigul.

See attached photos:

Following the excitement and positive reviews of her enthralling lead single, ‘Without You’, Omawumi has finally released amazing visuals for the song.

‘Without You’ is off Omawumi’s new EP ‘In Her Feelings’, with songs specially dedicated to her husband. The album features amazing songs addressing thematic issues like family, relationships, and domestic violence.

The newly released video features delightful choreography and excellent vocal demonstration by the music royalty herself, Omawumi. Shot by Hermanez Media, ‘Without You’ is the perfect tune for love birds.

See video link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qURqUWdTEX4

Leading commercial and retail bank, Access Bank Plc., again showcased its commitment to offering customers more than banking, as it premiered the new movie, Avengers: Endgame at the FilmHouse Cinemas, Lekki, Lagos.

The much-anticipated event was delivered with an eclectic mix of style, finesse and fun, with celebrities such as Denola Grey, Lala Akindoju, Delphinator, Olorisupergal, Lasisi Elenu, Bayo Oke-Lawal and many others in attendance.

The Bank treated guests to an excellent movie experience with good music, great food and 3D cinematics.

Nigeria’s sustainability champion, Access Bank Plc., kicked off its 2-day Sustainability Summit themed ‘Financing Sustainable Development’ yesterday at its headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Participants were engaged in an insightful panel session on strategies for impactful collaboration and also had the opportunity to interact with representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) on the Global Principles for Responsible Banking.

Panelists and guest speakers at yesterday’s event include Dr. Aisha Mahmood, Special Adviser to the CBN Governor on Sustainable Banking; Professor Ken Amaeshi, Chair, Business and Sustainable Development and Director of the Sustainable Business Initiative, University of Edinburgh; Tumelo Puleng Ndjwili-Potele, Banking Project Coordinator, United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEPFI); Abiola Oshunniyi, Chief Operating Officer, Parallel Points Consult; Bankole Allibay, CEO, Translantic Development Limited; Joel Ogunsola, Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Innovation and Partnerships; Natalie Beinisch, Senior Researcher and Consultant, N.M.B, and Colette Otusheso, Head, Accelerate TV.

The event featured insightful sessions as speakers highlighted the issues and opportunities present in the industry, including the benefits of speedily addressing unemployment in Nigeria.

Africa Fintech Foundry is set to hold the 2nd edition of Disrupt Africa Conference on Thursday, 16 May, 2019 at the Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. This announcement was made during a press conference recently held at the Access Bank Headquarters.

Themed ‘Digital Goldrush: Building a Sustainable Tech Economy’, the event is organized to connect and nurture high achievers with a common goal of making a difference in the world of innovation.

Giving his welcome address, Ade Bajomo, Executive Director, Operations and IT, Access Bank Plc., said Africa is about to experience another industry-defining event, as the 2019 edition of the Disrupt Conference is positioned to engage stakeholders on crucial issues that will define the future of FinTechs on the continent.

“As an initiative of Access Bank, the Africa Fintech Foundry is totally focused on supporting startups through accelerator programs and hackathons, while also providing mentorships,” Bajomo said. “The Disrupt Conference is vital to showcasing innovative solutions in providing financial services using detailed exhibitions and demo presentations. The event also provides a platform for stakeholders to discuss issues in the tech industry.”

Olusegun Adeniyi, Head, Africa Fintech Foundry, explained that with the success of the maiden edition which was attended by over 2,000 participants, this year’s edition will be much more expansive as over 5,000 delegates representing tech innovation across several sectors will be in attendance.

He continued saying that “the conference will showcase demos from tech start-ups providing tailor–made solutions to several sectors of the economy in Africa. Solutions will be pitched to various investors for possible investment while tech enthusiasts will gain valuable insights from cutting-edge breakout sessions around technology, artificial intelligence, and FinTech to prompt disruptive and beneficial outcomes”.

Notable personalities scheduled to speak at the Disrupt 2019 Conference include Omobola Johnson, former Nigerian Minister and Senior Partner at TLCom Capital; Uzoma Dozie, former CEO, Diamond Bank (now Access Bank); Herbert Wigwe, CEO/Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc.; Mary Uduk, Ag. Director General, Security and Exchange Commission; Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne, and Bayo Adekanmbi, CTO, MTN Nigeria.

The Conference is sponsored by Access Bank Plc., Seven-Up Bottling Company, Microsoft, Dell EMC, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Deloitte, Bluechip Technologies, AFEX, Kia Motors, Konga.com, Templars, Bolt, Domino’s Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery, Pinkberry, 21st Century, Airtel, Internet Solutions, eStream Networks Ltd., Agile Advisors and United Capital Plc.

Media Partners include Accelerate TV, TechEconomy, Technext, VWS News, Business Africa, Lasgidi Reporters, Vb Casting and eTimes.