Banking
Five Win in Heritage Bank’s YNSPYRE, CREAM Platform Promo
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Five fresh winners have emerged in the monthly draw organised by Heritage Bank and CREAM Platform under the YNSPYRE Initiative.
The event took place last Friday in Abuja in the presence of officials of the financial institution and the premiere creative reward platform in Nigeria.
The Heritage Bank’s YNSPYRE Initiative rewards subscribers who dial the *745*463# code with lots of cash and other prizes.
The winners went home with N200,000 each, while a popular artiste in the country, Mr Oladapo Oyebanjo, otherwise known as D’Banj, promised to fully support their businesses and passion.
Some of those that won at the digital draw such as Blessing (an entrepreneur), Justice Isaac Precious (a footballer and musician) and John (a caterer) expressed joy for emerging winners.
Recall that recently, Heritage Bank doled out N1 million to one Damilola Adeyemi, a winner of an online giveaway competition to celebrate the bank’s product, YNSPYRE, ambassador, D’Banj, which heralded the launching of the YNSPYRE Account.
The CREAM Platform is chaired by D’Banj, who was physically present at the event. Others were the Heritage Bank Regional Executive, Abuja and North, Mr George Okoh-Oboh; popular Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh; popular musician, Mr Easi (real name Isaiah Ediae) and other top officials of the bank.
In his remarks, Mr Okoh-Oboh described the partnership between Heritage Bank and CREAM Platform as a game-changer for the creative industry in Nigeria.
“It’s been a smooth journey and the Bank has also set aside certain funds for the creative industry because we believe that is needed to support our youths.
“And so what we have done is to be able to put this out there so that we can select very talented youths working with D’Banj and once they meet certain criteria, we will be able to lend across to them as a bank.
“So, the funds have already been set out and waiting this launch which we are having today. So it’s quite an interesting story for the bank and it’s a great day for us today,” he said.
On his part, D’Banj said that the CREAM Platform has built a strong reputation for producing some of the brightest talents in the country over the last couple of years.
He explained that the purpose of the platform was to have a creative hub for Africa where people can upload their contents, be discovered and get funding support from Heritage Bank.
He said the platform would enable Nigerians to discover their talents in areas such as entertainment, entrepreneurship, music, arts and other areas in the creative industry value chain.
D’Banj expressed optimism that the creative industry if properly harnessed, has the potentials to reduce the level of unemployment in the country, boost wealth creation for the people and help the country generate the much needed foreign exchange.
He noted that with the creative industry accounting for one of the highest exports from Nigeria, the time has come for operators in the sector to be supported with the finances.
“This year will make it five years that the platform was launched and our main aim is to create a gateway to the creative hub of Africa. With so much talent in the country and the hub in the continent, we saw it as a platform for people to have that access to become whatsoever they desire.
“And it’s no news that Heritage Bank is our partner to provide the access and financial help that you will need,” the music act said.
“The creative industry is one of the biggest exports in the last three years now whether you are looking at music, fashion, movies. But we need that financial help, that financial backing.
“So, for a long time, we have been discussing with Heritage Bank to see how we can get the funds and get that help to the people.
“And today is going to be the first time that we are actually rewarding the customers. Heritage Bank went further to help us create the ‘YNSPYRE’ Product.
“This product is for the youths and the creative industry to help ease access to funding contents uploaded on the CREAM Platform,” he added.
In her comments, Ms Dikeh urged D’Banj and the bank to create more awareness about the product to enable many people to take advantage of the initiative.
She said as an advocate of youth empowerment, the initiative would help to harness the potentials of the youths and stimulate the much-needed development of the creative industry.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A veteran bank and founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc, Mr Pascal Gabriel Dozie, has died at the age of 85.
The former chairman of MTN Nigeria, a leading telecommunications firm, died in the early hours of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, just a day to his 86th birthday.
The Nigerian entrepreneur and businessman chairman of Pan-Atlantic University established Diamond Bank in 1990. The company later became one of Nigeria’s most respected financial institutions.
The current Governor of Abia State, Mr Alex Otti, once headed the lender before handing over to the founder’s son, Mr Uzoma Dozie, when he veered into politics.
Diamond Bank merged with Access Bank in 2019.
Mr Pascal Dozie, who was once the President of the Nigerian Exchange Limited, then known as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), was born on April 9, 1939, in Egbu, Owerri, Imo State, and began his career as an economist at the National Economic Development Office in the United Kingdom.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Some food packs have been distributed to residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja recently by Fidelity Bank Plc as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives under the Fidelity Food Bank.
This is one of the key pillars of the bank’s CSR strategy, focusing on health and social welfare. As a nationwide project, the initiative seeks to provide food relief to underserved communities across Nigeria, with a particular focus on supporting women and children.
Officials of the financial institutions distributed the food items to seven communities in the Mabushi district of the FCT.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Mukhtar Mohamed, expressed his gratitude to the bank, acknowledging the significant impact of food distribution.
Similarly, the District Head of Mabushi Community, Mr Hassan Danagna, commended Fidelity Bank for its generosity and its impact on the community.
“Fidelity Bank’s support to our community is unprecedented, and we are deeply grateful for this initiative, which provides relief to vulnerable households and less privileged families.
“Given the current economic challenges, this support is timely, particularly as we approach the holy month of Ramadan,” Mr Danagna stated.
Speaking at the distribution event, the Executive Director for North at Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr Sufiyanu Garba, emphasized the lender’s commitment to community development and its alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 2, which seeks to eradicate hunger.
“This initiative stems from our deep-seated responsibility to support underserved communities and contribute to the fight against hunger in Nigeria.
“At Fidelity Bank, we firmly believe that by addressing the root causes of poverty and hunger, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need.
“While we may not be able to solve all societal challenges, our contributions are making a difference, as evidenced by the positive feedback we continue to receive,” Mr Garba said.
“We recognize the importance of fostering growth and prosperity within the communities where we operate. By investing in their well-being, we contribute to the creation of a more sustainable and equitable society,” he added.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The second edition of Oja Oge by Ecobank Nigeria Limited will attract more than 100 exhibitors, who will showcase their products to potential customers.
The 3-day fashion, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle exhibition will take place at the state-of-the-art Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos from April 18 to 20, 2025, at 10 am.
The financial institution is organising the 2024 edition following on the immense success of its first edition last year.
This programme will have exhibitors displaying a wide range of fashion, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle products, as well as entertainment offerings.
Oja Oge by Ecobank provides a dynamic platform for businesses to engage with a diverse audience of shoppers and entrepreneurs.
Already, Ecobank Nigeria has partnered with leading corporates in the telecoms, payments, airline and FMCG space – Airtel Nigeria, Flutterwave, Qatar Airways and Maltina respectively to deliver this second edition of its premier fashion pop up event Oja Oge over the Easter weekend.
“Oja Oge by Ecobank offer premium entertainment and provide a platform for local vendors to showcase and sell their products to a wider audience.
Participants will also have the chance to network and build relationships, gaining access to new markets. For us, as a Pan African bank, supporting small businesses in this way is a core part of our mission,” the Head of SME, Partnerships, and Collaborations at Ecobank, Ms Omoboye Odu, stated.
“Participation is free, and we invite everyone to come along with family and friends to enjoy the fair. It’s not just about buying and selling; it’s an opportunity to experience the creativity and luxury of current fashion and lifestyle trends, alongside a variety of music, food, and entertainment,” she added.
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