Banking
Opeseitan’s SA&B Unveils Team of Global Media Experts
By Dipo Olowookere
A fully integrated African marketing communications company with a global vision set up by former image maker of Globacom Limited, Mr Olabode Opeseitan, SA&B Mega Resources Limited, has unveiled its team of global media experts.
A statement issued on Friday by Mr Opeseitan explained that the team is a convergence of professionals from competitive markets within and outside Africa.
SA&B is a firm which offers premium 360-degree communication and marketing solutions for clients which cut across innovative advertising, effective public relations, memorable events, bull’s-eye sponsorships, result-oriented promotions and inventive sports marketing.
It also offers various products in different aspects such as PR Grooming, Corporate Coffee Table Books, Biographies and Ideas Generation.
Mr Opeseitan, who revealed in the statement that the company launched its website, www.saandb.com, noted that the various appointed experts have several decades of experience and impeccable track records in their respective fields of Advertising, Public Relations, Marketing, Event Management, Journalism, Broadcasting and Documentary Production.
The team consists of the Media Adviser from India, Abhishek Dube, who has worked on several big brands, and Advertising Consultant, Kobby Acquah-Hayford, the Director of Advertising, TBWA, Ghana.
Also prominent in the team are the Documentary Production Consultant, Aderemi Ogunpitan who is also the CEO of continentally acclaimed IBST; the Marketing Consultant, Adenike Olufade, who is the immediate past Executive Director Marketing of NTA and now Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of DIGIMAGE Technologies & Warehousing Limited and Chief Executive Officer of DIGIMAGE Consult.
Other prominent members of the team are the Editorial Consultants made up of renowned journalists and wordsmiths, Remi Oyeyemi (North America), Ayopo Apesin (UK) and Dr Festus Adedayo (Nigeria), the Social Media Advisor, Joan Nwosu based in North America and the Broadcast Media Coordinator, Aanu Michael amongst others.
Abhishek Dube has well over 20 years’ experience in highly competitive markets of Telecommunications, Media, Technology and Automobiles across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America. He was a one-time Director of Marketing Communication in Globacom.
On his part, Kobby Acquah-Hayford has managed brands in Manufacturing, Aviation, Financial and Automobile sectors for well over 15 years. He has worked on global brands like PZ Cussons, Pepsi Cola, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Canon, Microsoft, Standard Chartered Bank, Acer and Stanbic Bank.
Aderemi Ogunpitan’s three decades of experience in content and production has made him work on world-class brands such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, Chevron, Nestle, Dangote, Coca-Cola, Ford Foundation, Reuters, Nielsen, Citi Bank and Flour Mills. He has also created and produced content for various television titles including Big Brother Nigeria, Dragons Den Nigeria, The Apprentice Africa, Peak Talent Show, Glo Soccer Academy and Doctors Quarters, a TV series for MNET.
Adenike Olufade is a seasoned and accomplished Marketing and Business Administration expert with over 36 years of experience. As the immediate past Executive Director, Marketing at NTA, she coordinated all marketing activities in 105 NTA stations nationwide.
Remi Oyeyemi is an award-winning journalist and behaviour expert who has been involved in writing for about 30 years for numerous media organisations in both Nigeria and the United States of America.
Ayopo Apesin is an author, writer and journalist with over 20 years’ experience in Publishing, Marketing and Public Relations in competitive markets like Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He has successfully organised worldwide publicity for notable events like the Yoruba Heritage Awards, Nigerian Carnival UK and the Omo Oodua/ Ife Day carnival.
Dr Festus Adedayo is a seasoned journalist and columnist with about 20 years of experience cutting across Journalism, Research and Public Communication. He is known in the Nigerian public arena as a public commentator with an acerbic pen. He has served in various capacities including Deputy Editor and Editorial Page Editor, Nigerian Tribune, Special Adviser on Media to Enugu State Governor in 2003 and Special Adviser on Media to Oyo State Governor for four years from 2011 to 2015.
Joan Nwosu has more than ten years of experience in Information Technology, Marketing and Project Management for multimillion dollar brands in Telecoms, ICT and Automobile in markets across Nigeria, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Aanu Michael is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer at Be Happy Entertainment Limited; Aanu’s work experience of more than ten years, spreads across Broadcasting, Marketing, Brand Management, Corporate Communications, Event Management, Hospitality and Publishing. She was the presenter of ‘Good Morning Africa’, Mnet’s official breakfast show airing daily on Africa Magic DSTV Channel 154 & 155 and has presented over 300 episodes of the Nigerian segment of the programme. She is currently the presenter of The 411 on VoxAfrica.
Speaking on the unique advantage SA&B brings to its varied clients, Mr Olabode Opeseitan, the Founding Partner who is also the PR Advisor stated; “we are driven by our passion, our antecedents, our heritage and our diversity.
“It’s about our cumulative experience spanning over 30 years across channels, markets, cultures, and countries in Africa, Europe and North America. It’s also about the robust relationships we’ve maintained with top media personalities and other important stakeholders across the world. It is surely all about the trust our clients have had in us and the smartness of our ideas.”
Mr Olabode, who founded the multidimensional agency with other like minds in August, 2017, was appointed as PR Ambassador by the world’s largest entrepreneurship network, Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E).
He has over 26 years of experience in key areas such as Strategy Development and Implementation, Media Relations, Reputation Management, Event Management, Sports Sponsorship and Promotions in competitive African markets; particularly in Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic.
He was until the end of July, 2017 the Director of Public Relations, Event & Promotions at Globacom where he worked for almost 14 years. He also worked at African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc for eight years, rising to the post of Editor, Tribune on Saturday.
He is a Fellow of World Press Institute in Macalester College, Minnesota, USA, Poynter Institute, Florida, USA and the Reuters Foundation, UK.
Banking
Access Bank to Acquire 100% Equity in South Africa’s Bidvest
By Adedapo Adesanya
Access Bank Plc, the banking subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, has entered into a binding agreement with South African-based Bidvest Group Limited for the acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake in Bidvest Bank Limited.
The deal for the 24-year-old South African lender is due to be completed in the second half of 2025, upon regulatory approval.
This shows Access Bank’s further expansion plans in line with goals set by its late founder, Mr Herbert Wigwe.
The agreement to acquire 100 percent stake in Bidvest Bank reflects Access Bank’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in South Africa and consolidating on its position as the continent’s gateway to global markets as it seeks to optimise the benefits of recent acquisitions and accelerate its transition towards a greater focus on efficiencies.
Bidvest Bank, founded in 2000 is a niche and profitable South African financial institution providing a diverse range of services, including corporate and business banking solutions and diverse retail banking products.
As of its year ended June 2024, Bidvest Bank reported total assets equivalent of $665million and audited profit before tax of $20million.
Upon conclusion of this acquisition, Bidvest Bank will be merged with the bank’s existing South African subsidiary to create an enlarged platform to anchor the regional growth strategy for the SADC region.
This is coming just as the bank opened a new branch in Malta as part of efforts to focus on international trade finance after obtaining a banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
Access Bank said the licence marks a transformative milestone in bolstering Europe-Africa trade flows.
The Maltese branch was established by Access Bank UK Limited, the subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, which is also the subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
Banking
Access Bank Opens Branch in Malta to Strengthen Europe-Africa Trade Ties
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To strengthen Europe-Africa trade ties, Access Bank has opened a new branch in Malta. It will focus on international trade finance, employing approximately 30 people in its initial phase, with plans for controlled expansion over time.
It was learned that this Maltese branch was established by Access Bank UK Limited, the subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, which is also the subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
Access Bank Malta Limited commenced operations after obtaining a banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
Access Bank said the licence marks a transformative milestone in bolstering Europe-Africa trade flows.
Malta, a renowned international financial centre, and a gateway between the two continents, is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in advancing commerce and fostering economic partnerships.
This strategic expansion into Malta enables The Access Bank UK Limited to leverage growing trade opportunities between Europe and Africa.
It underscores the organisation’s commitment to driving global trade, financial integration, and supporting businesses across these regions.
“By establishing operations in Malta, we will gain a foothold in a market that bridges European and North African economies, moving us one step closer to our goal of becoming Africa’s Gateway to the World.
“It further enhances our bank’s capacity to support clients with innovative solutions tailored to cross-border trade and investment opportunities,” the chief executive of Access Bank, Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, stated.
“Europe has emerged as Africa’s leading trading partner, driven by initiatives such as the Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and African regions and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“With Europe-Africa economic relations entering a new phase, The Access Bank Malta Limited is ideally positioned to deepen trade and meet the financing and banking needs of our clients in these expanding markets,” the chief executive of Access Bank UK, Mr Jamie Simmonds, commented.
Also speaking, the chief executive of Access Bank Malta, Renald Theuma, said, “Malta is uniquely positioned as a bridge between Europe and Africa, making it an ideal location for our subsidiary. This move allows The Access Bank Malta Limited to engage more closely with customers in Europe and deliver tailored financial solutions that drive growth and connectivity across both continents.”
Banking
Goldman Sachs, IFC Partner Zenith Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Others to Empower Women Entrepreneurs
By Adedapo Adesanya
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Goldman Sachs have announced a new partnership with African banks, including Nigeria’s Zenith Bank and Stanbic IBTC Nigeria to support the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women initiative, a joint programme launched in 2008 to provide access to capital and training for women entrepreneurs globally.
The two Nigerian banks are part of nine financial institutions from across Africa which have agreed to join the 10,000 Women initiative committing to leverage the business education and skills tools the programme provides to create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs across the continent by providing access to business education.
Others banks include Stanbic Bank Kenya, Ecobank Kenya, Ecobank Cote d’Ivoire, Equity Bank Group, Banco Millenium Atlantico – Angola, Baobab Group, and Orange Bank.
Speaking on this, Ms Charlotte Keenan, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs said – “10,000 Women has had a powerful impact to date, but we know that there are more women to reach and more potential to be realized.
“We are delighted to partner with IFC to supercharge the growth of women-owned businesses across Africa, and mainstream lending to female business leaders. We remain committed to supporting entrepreneurs with the access to education and capital that they need to scale.”
Since 2008, the 10,000 Women initiative has provided access to capital and business training to more than 200,000 women in 150 countries.
“This expanded initiative marks a significant step forward in creating equitable economic opportunities for women in Africa, enabling them to build stronger, more resilient businesses and to realize their entrepreneurial goals,” said Ms Nathalie Kouassi Akon, IFC’s Global Director for Gender and Economic Inclusion.
Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women initiative complements the Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility (WEOF), launched in 2014 by Goldman Sachs and IFC as the first-of-its-kind global facility dedicated to expanding access to capital for women entrepreneurs in emerging markets.
-
Feature/OPED5 years ago
Davos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism8 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years ago
Estranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking6 years ago
Sort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years ago
Subsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years ago
First Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years ago
Highest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years ago
How To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN