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Sterling Bank Donates 1400 Uniforms To Oyo Street Sweepers

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The management of Sterling Bank Plc has donated overall uniforms to street sweepers in the employ of Oyo State Government in what the bank calls its contribution to the government’s environmental sanitation efforts.

Deputy Governor of the State, Mr Alake Adeyemo, while receiving the 1400 uniforms on behalf of the Governor, Mr Abiola Ajimobi, lauded the bank for being alive to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

He reiterated the resolve of the state not to allow a relapse into the dark days when the state, especially the capital, Ibadan, was adjudged to be one of the dirtiest cities in the country.

Mr Adeyemo stated that the Governor would continue to partner corporate bodies and citizens of the state to ensure a clean, safe and healthy environment.

He disclosed that the government placed premium on clean and safe environment, stressing that one cardinal goal of the administration was the full implementation of sustainable environmental policy.

According to him, this would be a marked departure from what it inherited from the past administration.

He said, “Our administration, under the leadership of the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, had recognized and placed premium on clean, safe and healthy environment.

“This is so because one cardinal goal of any responsible government should be to facilitate sustainable development, engendered by habitable environment that will attract investors and improve the living standard of the people.

“This vision formed the basis of our sustainable environmental policy, which is a clear departure from the erstwhile policy directions of past administrations, which led to Oyo State being regarded as one of the dirtiest states in the federation.

“The driving elements of this new policy direction are the tripod of our administration’s agenda of restoration, transformation and repositioning of the state.”

While appreciating the bank’s compliance with its corporate social responsibility in donating the items, the deputy governor called on other corporate bodies to emulate the gesture of Sterling bank for the benefit of the larger society.

He challenged the people of the state to continue to be faithful to the weekly and monthly environmental sanitation exercise, which, he said, had helped to transform the state to a new haven for industrial giants.

Managing Director of Sterling Bank, Mr Yemi Adeola, who was represented by the bank’s Business Executive (South-West), Mrs Temiwunmi Tope-Banjoko, said that the donation was a priority concern for the bank as its contribution to the sustenance of the clean environment under the present administration.

She commended the state government for changing the landscape of the entire state to enviable scenery, adding that the partnership between the government and the bank was aimed at enthroning a habitable and healthy environment for the citizens.

She said, “I want to commend the governor for his efforts at changing the landscape of the entire state, in spite of the challenges being experienced both in the private and public sectors.

“These efforts are, undoubtedly, a reflection of an unparalleled determination and commitment of the governor to put in place a state that we can all be proud of.”

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Access Bank Opens Branch in Malta to Strengthen Europe-Africa Trade Ties

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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.”

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Goldman Sachs, IFC Partner Zenith Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Others to Empower Women Entrepreneurs

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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.

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Development Bank of Nigeria Wins Financial Inclusion Leadership Award

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

In recognition of its unwavering commitment to fostering access to financing for Nigerian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Development Bank of Nigeria Plc has been rewarded with the Financial Inclusion Leadership Award at the Champions of Inclusion Nigeria Financial Inclusion Awards.

This was at the 2024 International Financial Inclusion Conference (IFIC) organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the World Bank and other stakeholders.

The chief executive of the lender, Mr Tony Okpanachi, said the recognition affirms the company’s efforts in expanding access to financial services for MSMEs in Nigeria.

“We are honoured to receive the Financial Inclusion Leadership Award, which is a testament to our bank’s commitment to expanding access to financial services for all Nigerians. This award recognises our efforts to bridge the financial inclusion gap, particularly for a priority sector like the MSMEs.

“Additionally, this award is a validation of our strategic focus on driving financial inclusion for small businesses, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this initiative that drives that. We will continue to innovate and expand our financial inclusion programmes, ensuring that more Nigerian small and startup businesses have access to services,” he stated.

On his part, the Chief Operating Officer of DBN, Mr Bonaventure Okhaimo, said the accolade demonstrates the firm’s dedication to driving financial inclusion and economic growth in Nigeria.

“This award acknowledges our Bank’s innovative approach to widening opportunities for MSMEs in Nigeria to grow and scale their businesses,” he said.

“This award will motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of financial inclusion, exploring more innovative solutions and partnerships to expand our reach and impact.

“We are committed to ensuring that more small businesses and startup enterprises in Nigeria have access to financial services, this award will further inspire us to accelerate our efforts in this regard,” he stated.

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