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.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The sum of N427.96 million has been disbursed to more than 1,000 enrollees as surplus by Noor Takaful Insurance Limited and Noor Health Limited.
The payment of surplus is a demonstration of gratitude, accountability, reflection, and celebration of promises made and kept.
At the 2024 Surplus Distribution and Claims Celebration Ceremony in Lagos on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, a total of 22 participants were given surplus payments by Noor Takaful, while 2 enrollees received surplus payments from Noor Health.
Some of the participants that received surplus payments included Jaiz Bank, Lotus Bank, Sterling Bank, The Alternative Bank, Payvantage Limited, Integrated Indigo Limited, Smadac Securities, and Taxaide Logistics.
At the event themed Promise Kept: Celebrating Takaful’s Commitment to Shared Reward, the chairman of Noor Takaful Insurance Limited, Ambassador Shuaibu Ahmed, explained that the company has proven over the years that surplus distribution is not a theoretical concept but a model that works in practice, as evidenced by its consistent payments to participants. He acknowledged that there is growing acceptance of Takaful, as it is increasingly recognised as a credible and established alternative to conventional insurance.
“At Noor, however, we believe it is more than just an alternative. We believe it is a better alternative. We say this because Takaful is built around values that are fundamental to how financial protection should work: equity, fairness, mutual responsibility, transparency, and shared benefit,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Vice Chairman of Noor Takaful Insurance Limited, Mr Aminu Tukur, stated that the 2024 surplus distribution was based on the performance of the participants’ risk pool after claims and other obligations had been settled.
Mr Tukur disclosed that the company had grown from a humble beginning of about 60 participants at its inception to approximately 4,000, noting that the company will continue to collaborate with regulators and other stakeholders to promote Takaful and deepen insurance awareness across Nigeria. He added that the company will mark 10 years of operations in 2027.
He explained further that since inception, the company has cumulatively paid N22 billion in claims to beneficiaries/participants, with General Takaful accounting for N7.4 billion and Family Takaful contributing N14.5 billion.
“Our role is to ensure proper management and administration of funds, which includes investments. Secondly, we have a responsibility to ensure that every genuine claim is paid on a timely and stress-free basis,” he stressed.
In his remarks, the chief executive of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr Ayo Omosehin, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Insurance, Technical, NAICOM, Mr Usman Jankara, described the payment of surplus to participants as a practical demonstration of the values that define cooperation, shared responsibility, fairness, ethical conduct, and collective prosperity.
He stated that the distribution of surplus by Noor Takaful clearly demonstrates that participants are not merely purchasers of protection but contributors to a system built on cooperation and mutual benefit.
“This has sent a strong message that Takaful can create measurable value while remaining faithful to its ethical foundation,” he added.
Speaking on the recapitalisation exercise for insurance companies recently carried out by NAICOM, he stated that Takaful operators were exempted as they had undergone a similar exercise 4 years ago. According to him, there is no compelling need at the moment for recapitalisation of the Takaful segment of the insurance industry, as all the Takaful operators are well capitalised.
While commending the company for reaching the milestone and promoting participants’ education and engagement, he stressed that NAICOM would continue to support Takaful’s growth while ensuring proper regulatory oversight.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The transaction banking capabilities of Stanbic IBTC Bank have been improved with the upgrade of its software to FinnAxia® 9.0.
This was made possible through the collaboration between the financial institution and Nucleus Software, a leading provider of lending and transaction banking solutions.
The milestone reflects more than a decade of collaboration between both organisations in strengthening transaction banking capabilities and delivering enhanced value to corporate and institutional clients.
As customer expectations continue to evolve and businesses increasingly demand seamless, real-time and digitally enabled banking services, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Nucleus Software remain focused on leveraging technology to improve service delivery, enhance operational efficiency and support business growth.
The advancement to FinnAxia® 9.0 enhances Stanbic IBTC Bank’s transaction banking platform, strengthening its ability to deliver integrated payments, collections, liquidity management and cash management solutions.
The upgrade supports greater agility across operations, improves automation and connectivity, enhances digital experiences for customers, and provides a scalable foundation for future growth and innovation.
Across Africa, transaction banking is entering a new phase of transformation as businesses increasingly seek real-time payments, digital trade services, intelligent liquidity management and connected banking experiences.
Financial institutions are therefore investing in modern technology platforms that enable faster innovation while maintaining resilience, security and customer-centric service delivery.
The adoption of FinnAxia® 9.0 aligns with Stanbic IBTC Bank’s broader strategy of leveraging technology to create value for clients and maintain high standards of operational excellence.
“Our relationship with Nucleus Software has spanned a decade and forms part of our broader commitment to continuously strengthening the solutions and services we provide to clients.
“As transaction banking continues to evolve, we remain focused on investing in capabilities that help businesses operate with greater speed, visibility and confidence.
“The advancement to FinnAxia® 9.0 enhances our transaction banking platform and strengthens our ability to deliver innovative, efficient and customer-focused solutions in a rapidly changing environment,” the Executive Director of Corporate and Transaction Banking at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Eric Fajemisin, stated.
Also speaking on the development, the Head of Transaction Banking at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Jesuseun Fatoyinbo, said, “Transaction banking today is about delivering intelligent, seamless and responsive experiences for customers. This enhancement further strengthens our ability to simplify customer journeys, improve operational efficiency and introduce new capabilities more rapidly. It reflects our continued commitment to supporting clients with solutions that evolve alongside their business needs and growth ambitions.”
Speaking on the milestone, the chief executive of Nucleus Software, Parag Bhise, said, “We value our long-standing relationship with Stanbic IBTC Bank and are pleased to support the Bank’s continued efforts to enhance its transaction banking capabilities.
“FinnAxia® 9.0 has been designed to help financial institutions respond to evolving customer expectations through improved automation, connectivity and operational efficiency.”
The advancement to FinnAxia® 9.0 represents the latest step in the ongoing collaboration between Stanbic IBTC Bank and Nucleus Software to strengthen transaction banking capabilities and deliver innovative solutions that support the evolving needs of businesses.
By combining Stanbic IBTC Bank’s customer-centric approach with Nucleus Software’s technology expertise, the partnership continues to drive greater efficiency, agility and value for corporate and institutional clients.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Standard Chartered has launched its ninth sub-fund under its Variable Capital Company (VCC) platform, partnering with Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) as the sub-manager to provide eligible clients with access to a gold-focused investment strategy.
The new Signature Select Enhanced Gold Income Fund combines exposure to gold with an enhanced income-generation strategy. The fund invests in gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and uses a covered call strategy to seek regular income while allowing investors to participate in the potential long-term appreciation of gold.
Standard Chartered said gold could help diversify investment portfolios because of its relatively low correlation with traditional asset classes and its potential to provide resilience during periods of geopolitical, monetary and market uncertainty.
The fund is available from this month to Accredited and Professional Investors across the Bank’s Priority, Priority Private and Private Banking segments in Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Jersey, Kenya and Nigeria. Taiwan is expected to be added later in 2026.
AllianzGI, which has more than 700 investment professionals globally as of March 31, 2026, will provide investment management expertise for the fund.
Its Global Multi Asset Team will be responsible for options selection and the day-to-day management of the portfolio, drawing on its experience in portfolio construction, derivatives implementation, risk management and multi-asset investing across different market cycles.
Mr Sumeet Bhambri, Global Head, Advisory and Managed Investments, Wealth Solutions, Standard Chartered, said the partnership with AllianzGI would strengthen the bank’s latest VCC fund and provide clients with a differentiated investment strategy.
“As clients seek greater diversification amid an increasingly uncertain market environment, the fund provides access to a differentiated strategy that combines gold’s portfolio diversification benefits with enhanced income potential,” Mr Bhambri said.
He added that the launch reflected Standard Chartered’s commitment to expanding its wealth platform through strategic partnerships and delivering innovative investment solutions to clients.
On his part, Mr Marc Gualandi, Head of Global Banks at Allianz Global Investors, said the fund was designed to give investors exposure to gold’s long-term value proposition while generating income through an active options strategy.
“We believe gold can play an important role as a long-term allocation within a well-diversified portfolio,” Mr Gualandi said.
He said AllianzGI would leverage its expertise in income strategies, portfolio construction and risk management to help investors pursue income and long-term portfolio resilience.
Standard Chartered established its VCC platform in June 2024 to combine the expertise of leading fund managers with its global asset-class specialists and provide clients with access to customised investment strategies.
The latest launch brings the total number of sub-funds on the platform to nine and marks Standard Chartered’s fourth fund launch in 2026.
