Banking
UBA Boosts Brand Affiliation, Unveils 15 Campus Ambassadors
By Dipo Olowookere
One of the leading banks in Africa, the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, last Friday, launched the maiden edition of its Campus Ambassador Programme with the induction of the first 15 brand ambassadors.
A statement issued by the bank’s spokesman, Mr Ramon Nasir, explained that the 15 successful candidates were selected from among 200 students across tertiary institutions in Nigeria through a rigorous screening exercise in line with set criteria.
The colourful inauguration ceremony was held at the UBA house in Lagos with the Deputy Managing Director of the firm, Mr Victor Osadolor, and other senior management staff in attendance.
Speaking, Mr Osadolor said, “UBA is pleased to have you all on board as valuable Ambassadors who will help us propagate our goodwill messages, ethos, values and what we stand for as a bank, across your institutions.”
He noted that the goal is to give students a platform to demonstrate leadership as well as build and instil the brand ethos into the consciousness of the youths.
According to Mr Osadolor, UBA is a bank with strong affiliation to youths, evident in the Bank’s scholarship and grants schemes through the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition among other educational initiatives.
“Two hundred of you went through the process and 15 of you came out tops, which proves that you are leadings lights, energetic and enterprising with great potentials which is exactly what we want to explore.
“The values you bring on board will help us support this process and we do hope as you learn and internalize what we stand for, you will all be good ambassadors and represent us well as admirable leaders others can look up to, propagating our message even beyond the 12 months period of your assignment as UBA ambassadors,” Mr Osadolor said.
Also speaking, the Head, Student Banking of UBA Plc, Mr Tomiwa Sotiloye, said UBA, being a top financial institution with presence across Africa, is one the ambassadors should be proud of, especially in the discharge of their duties of spreading the institution’s ethos. He charged them to be good leaders and positive influencers who should stand out by ensuring the bank’s reputation soars high in their respective campuses.
The 15 ambassadors, who are A-list students in their various institutions, include Orji Somtochukwu Philippa a 300 Level Medical student of Abia State University, Uturu. She is currently a UBA Scholar after winning the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition in 2011. Phillipa is a Member of the Campus Press Student Authors’ Association (CAPSAA) and a Founder of ‘The Fe-clinical Group’ for Female pre-clinical medical students, ABSU. Ahmad Mustapha is a 400 Level, Quantity Surveying student at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is a Social Media Enthusiast, Writer and an avid reader. Odunewu Oluwasegun, from the University of Lagos is a 300 level student of the Department of Radiography, University of Lagos. He is into writing and blogging.
Others are Jennifer Nev, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Tagbo Ijeoma, Federal University Of Technology, Owerri, Imo State; Onyedikachukwu Edeh, Babcock University; Fadaini Asalewa, Obafemi Awolowo University; Barakat Tiamiyu, Obafemi Awolowo University; Queen Jaja, Rivers State University Of Science and Technology; Ihechi Opara, University of Ibadan; Chisom Anastatia Nwaezuoke, University of Ibadan, Ukododeta Nyerhovwo Maxwell, University of Abuja; Odunewu Oluwasegun, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku, University of Lagos; Chukwuemeka Orukwowu, University of Portharcourt and Kachikwu Stephen, University of Portharcourt.
During their one year renewable tenure based on active participation, the ambassadors are expected to develop different initiatives that will be sponsored by the Bank and execute various objectives of the bank over the period. They will also serve as a bridge between the bank, the students and the school authorities.
The selected ambassadors will form a preferred pool for recruitment consideration upon graduation.
The UBA Campus Ambassador Programme is an initiative to identify young emerging leaders among students of tertiary institutions and give them a unique and highly rewarding learning experience.
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.
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.”
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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