Banking
DHL Express Begins On Demand Delivery in Nigeria, Kenya
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
World’s leading international express services provider, DHL Express, has announced the launch of On Demand Delivery for the Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) region.
The new service allows shippers and receivers globally to select from a range of standardised delivery options.
On Demand Delivery is currently deployed in 6 markets across SSA – South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mauritius & Tanzania, with plans to roll out to further countries in SSA throughout 2017.
On Demand Delivery offers shippers the choice to activate specific delivery options and have DHL Express proactively notify their customers via email or SMS about a shipment’s progress.
Customers can then select the delivery option that best suits their requirements via the On Demand Delivery website.
The service is specifically tailored to the demands of international e-commerce deliveries, where the majority of shipments are addressed to residential addresses and customers place considerable emphasis on flexibility and convenience.
“Globally, we have seen the share of e-commerce deliveries grow from about 10 percent in 2013 to more than 20 percent of the international volumes of DHL Express in 2016,” said Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa.
“This has primarily been driven by the strong demand for high-value and premium goods in the global marketplace, as well as the emergence of start-up retailers who are growing beyond borders and therefore require a worldwide door-to-door delivery service.
“Our On Demand Delivery service was developed with the needs of our customers at the very core. E-tailers and their customers continue to evolve and we needed to ensure that our services continue to exceed customer expectations.
“On Demand Delivery isn’t just a new customer interface – it also represents an enhancement of our worldwide network, as we have tailored our last-mile operations to meet the specific demands of cross-border e-commerce deliveries.
“Thanks to On Demand Delivery, we can support the service offering of online shippers and improve the delivery experience for their customers, while improving our own efficiency, particularly for last-mile deliveries,” he said further.
On Demand Delivery is easy to use and benefits both shippers and receivers. The site is accessed from any smartphone, tablet or PC, and offers receivers up to six delivery options.
Shippers can incorporate their own branding into customer notifications. Receivers can schedule a delivery, arrange delivery to a nearby DHL Service Point or their own alternate address, and even request that a shipment is put on hold during a vacation.
On Demand Delivery further improves first-time delivery performance, increases customer satisfaction, and makes the overall delivery process more efficient.
On Demand Delivery will be deployed to more than 100 countries across the globe in 2017, accounting for the majority of global trade and online retail activity, and is available in over 45 languages.
Banking
GTCO’s N209bn Raise Sets Foundation for Accelerated Development—Agbaje
By Adedapo Adesanya
Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc recently completed the raising of N209 billion out of its targeted N400.5 billion public offer in the ongoing recapitalisation efforts directed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to create resilient banks amid rising external shocks in the global environment.
Speaking on this development, the chief executive of the firm, Mr Segun Agbaje, said the equity capital raising has set a strong foundation for accelerated development.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to our new and existing shareholders, as well as the regulatory authorities, for their unwavering support during this initial phase of our equity capital raise.
“The strong participation and successful capital verification exercise and allotment process reaffirm the confidence investors have in our fundamentals and execution capabilities.
“This sets a solid foundation for accelerating our strategic roadmap, which aims to pivot the Group for transformational growth and unlock greater value across the Group’s Banking and Non-Banking businesses,” the banker stated.
GTCO had launched a public offer of 9.0 billion ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N44.5 per share, with N209.41 billion realized, representing 52.3 per cent of the total offer size.
The offer garnered substantial interest from domestic retail investors, raised a total of N209.41 billion from 130,617 valid applications for 4.706 billion ordinary shares, fully allotted.
“This milestone concludes the first phase of GTCO’s phased equity capital raise programme, which is structured on a balanced allocation strategy based on an equal split between institutional and retail investors. This balanced approach aligns with GTCO Plc’s commitment to fostering a well-diversified and robust investor base,” GTCO stated.
The announcement followed completion of the capital verification exercise conducted by the CBN and the approval of the basis of allotment of the offer by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Banking
Fidelity Bank Donates Maternity Kits to Pregnant Women in Lagos
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
No fewer than 30 pregnant women at the Mushin Primary Health Centre in Lagos have received maternity kits from Fidelity Bank Plc.
The gesture from the financial institution is part of its efforts to support improved maternal health in the metropolis.
It was gathered that the items were given to the beneficiaries through the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP), a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the lender aimed at promoting staff involvement in community development under the Great Minds Inductees Class.
“The project was borne out of the need to support pregnant women by providing them with essential materials for a safe delivery,” the Divisional Head for Brand and Communications Division at Fidelity Bank, Mr Meksley Nwagboh, explained.
“Maternal mortality remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, with the country accounting for a substantial proportion of global maternal deaths.
“In fact, a 2023 United Nations report indicate that nearly 28.5% of global maternal deaths occur in Nigeria.
“This is an alarming statistic and as a bank given to improving the welfare of our host communities, we deemed it fit to support initiatives to address this challenge in the Mushin community with this donation,” he stated.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Mary Olusanya, expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the bank’s support.
“I appreciate Fidelity Bank for helping us. Many pregnant women cannot afford these kits, but this donation ensures that we can have safe deliveries and better healthcare,” she said.
The Medical and Health Officer for Mushin Local Government Area, Dr Kayode Odufuwa, said, “This intervention by Fidelity Bank will help reduce maternal mortality and encourage more women from less-privileged backgrounds to register for antenatal care.”
“On behalf of the Chairman of Mushin LGA, Mr Emmanuel Bamgboye, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Fidelity Bank for extending its donation of maternity kits to pregnant women at this centre.
“We appeal for continued collaboration with the Bank to further strengthen healthcare services within the area,” he stated.
On her part, the Apex Nurse and Deputy Director of Nursing Services in Mushin LGA, Mrs Bolanle Odunlami, said, “The donation is a much-needed relief for many mothers who are unable to afford essential delivery kits. Fidelity Bank has truly shown empathy by coming to the aid of our patients, and for that, we are extremely grateful.”
Business Post reports that through the FHHP, employees of the bank identify projects that benefit their immediate community and gather funds to implement them.
The bank’s management then matches this contribution with an equivalent amount and allocates it for the chosen projects.
Banking
Plot to Remove Otedola as Chairman Won’t Affect Our Services—First Bank
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The management of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Holdings Plc has assured that the boardroom crisis rocking the company would not affect its operations.
Recall that a group of shareholders with 10 per cent equity stake in the financial institution asked for an Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) under section 215 (1) of CAMA for the removal of the chairman of the board, Mr Femi Otedola, and a non-executive/deputy chief executive of Geregu Power Plc, Mr Julius Omodayo-Owotuga.
They argued that Mr Otedola, who owns Geregu Power, was plotting full control of FBN Holdings by planting his loyalists on the board.
The aggrieved shareholders pointed out that the businessman was planning to take charge of the proposed private placement of N360 billion shares of the firm, accusing him of removing those he felt were blocking his way.
To calm nerves, FBN Holdings issued a statement on Thursday, informing its stakeholders that the crisis does not pose a threat to its services.
“This matter does not in any way impact the operations of the company, and all the businesses within the Group continue to provide uninterrupted services to its customers.
“We assure our valued customers, shareholders, investors, other stakeholders and the general public that we are taking all necessary steps to protect the interests of the company and its subsidiaries.
“The Group’s performance continues to improve, resulting in a higher market capitalisation even as we work towards surpassing the regulatory minimum capital well ahead of the deadline.
“In the meantime, the Registrar and Lead Issuing House are collating the returns from all receiving agents in respect of the company’s rights issue which closed on December 30, 2024.
“FBN Holdings and its subsidiaries remain committed to the highest level of corporate governance,” the notice signed by its scribe, Mr Adewale Arogundade, said.
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