Banking
YEA5: Fidelity Bank Trains Kano Youth on Business Skills
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Over the weekend, more than 200 undergraduates in Kano States received training in various skill areas including, Fashion Designing, Makeover, Henna Design, New Media Marketing, Baby Bag Making, Bead Making, etc.
The empowerment programme was organized by Fidelity Bank Plc in partnership with Gazelle Academy and Bayero University Kano.
The week-long entrepreneurship training programme, which was put together in consistent with the bank’s unbridled commitment to youth empowerment in Nigeria, came up under the Fidelity Youth Empowerment Academy stream 5 (YEA 5).
It is part of the lender’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives primarily targeted at creating a new breed of entrepreneurs amongst Nigeria’s boisterous youth population.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the fifth edition of the YEA 5 held in Kano State, the bank’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr Mohammed Balarabe, said that the skills acquisition programme seeks primarily to offer undergraduates of tertiary institutions with vocational skills and enterprise training needed to become thriving business owners.
Whilst stating that the programme teaches students vocational skills as an alternative to white-collar jobs, Mr Balarabe explained that the initiative will guarantee financial independence among the youths and ultimately alleviate poverty.
“Since its inception, four editions have held successfully at institutions in Enugu, Birnin Kebbi, Anambra and Rivers states with over 2,000 participants. In essence, we have succeeded in making entrepreneurs out of students who will be financially responsible and independent,” he said.
Mr Balarabe commended the students for their commitment and performance during the course of the training programme.
The DMD, while quoting John Maxwell, stated that, “Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities. They vary in their desires to reach their potential.” He challenged the students to go out there and fulfill their dreams.
The Director, Public Affairs of BUK, Malam Ahmed Shehu who commended Fidelity Bank for the initiative called on other corporate organisations to emulate the bank in giving back to the society through laudable youth empowerment programmes like YEA5. Shehu also lauded the bank for consistently delivering unmatched financial services to the university community and the citizens of Kano State.
Speaking in the same vein, Muna Onuzo, Founder, Gazelle Academy thanked the participants for their zeal and active participation as evidenced by the number of things ranging from bags, clothing apparels, beadworks, cocktails that were made by them and on display for visitors who thronged the school to witness the closing ceremony.
“We give our students the ability to stand and build their business. We start by teaching them the skills of the trade and then we empower their mind so that the inner disabilities won’t limit them from actualising their true potential. We also teach students how to run a business that is clean, sustainable and viable,” she explained.
By Dipo Olowookere
Tech enthusiasts interested in participating in the Take on Squad Hackathon, organised by Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc, can now enter the contest via the official portal at https://squadco.com/hackathon.
The programme enters its third edition in 2026, and the theme for this year is Smart Systems: The Intelligent Economy, according to a statement issued by the organisers.
The hackathon brings together developers, designers and entrepreneurs across Nigeria in a collaborative environment to build practical solutions across key sectors, including financial services, healthcare, commerce and digital inclusion.
Participants are challenged to design and build intelligent, data-driven solutions that transform how communities engage with money.
It is part of the organisation’s commitment to fostering innovation, empowering talent, and supporting the development of technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges across Africa.
“Today’s dynamic, digitally driven world demands continuous innovation, which is shaping how economies grow, how businesses scale, and how societies evolve.
“Through Take on Squad Hackathon, we are deliberately investing in the ideas and talent that will define the future.
“Our objective is not simply to encourage innovation, but to enable its translation into scalable solutions that deliver real and measurable impact.
“This reflects GTCO’s role as a financial services platform that connects capital, capability, and creativity to drive sustainable progress,” the Managing Director of HabariPay, Ms Eduofon Japhet, stated.
The social coding event remains a cornerstone of HabariPay’s mission to foster creativity and problem-solving among emerging tech talents. Competing teams will leverage Squad’s advanced APIs to create scalable digital tools that address everyday challenges faced by businesses and individuals.
Through initiatives such as this, GTCO continues to position itself at the intersection of finance, technology and enterprise, actively shaping the future of digital transformation in Africa.
By Dipo Olowookere
Banking services will not be interrupted throughout the Easter public holidays, from Friday, April 3, to Monday, April 6, 2026, for any reason, Ecobank Nigeria has assured its customers.
In a message over the weekend, the member of Africa’s leading pan-African banking group, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, said customers would continue to enjoy quality service delivery during the period.
It noted that its secure and robust digital platforms would remain fully operational to support financial activities during the festive period.
All digital channels, including the Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Business App, USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, OmniPlus, Omnilite, EcobankPay, Ecobank Cards, ATMs, PoS terminals, and over 35,000 Ecobank Xpress Point agent locations nationwide, will remain accessible throughout the holiday, the financial institution further said, urging customers to conveniently conduct transactions at any time using this wide range of digital solutions.
Ecobank customers were encouraged to maximise the bank’s alternative channels for transfers, bill payments, airtime purchases, card services, and account management.
They were also advised to stay vigilant by shopping only on trusted websites; avoiding the sharing of PINs, passwords, and one-time passwords (OTPs); refraining from banking on public Wi-Fi networks; being cautious of urgent or emotionally charged messages; and regularly monitoring their account activity.
“Customers will continue to enjoy a full bouquet of services during the holiday, including local and international funds transfers, bill payments, airtime top-ups, merchant payments, balance enquiries, account statements, and cardless cash withdrawals via ATMs,” the Head of Products & Analytics, Consumer & Commercial Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Victor Yalokwu, stated.
“We understand that festive seasons come with increased financial activity, and our priority is to ensure our customers enjoy fast, reliable, and secure banking wherever they are.
“Our digital channels are designed to support uninterrupted transactions, and we have strengthened our systems to guarantee optimal performance throughout the Easter break,” he added.
Mr Yalokwu noted that, “Ecobank remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions and exceptional customer service. We wish all our customers and partners a peaceful and joyful Easter celebration.”
By Dipo Olowookere
Customers may have difficulty accessing the digital platform of Polaris Bank, known as VULTe, during the Easter holidays from Friday, April 3, to Monday, April 6, 2026.
This is because the financial institution is carrying out system maintenance on the platform in its effort to ensure users enjoy a better banking experience.
In a notice over the weekend, the lender said “access to VULTe may be limited,” but it provided an alternative, which is the PolarisXperience.
Polaris Bank, which expressed regret over “any inconvenience” this action may cause its customers, said the “scheduled system maintenance” would happen from 10 pm to 8 am daily, promising that normal service would return after the maintenance.
“In continuation of our commitment to delivering a seamless and improved banking experience, we will be conducting a scheduled system maintenance during the Easter holidays.
“During this period, access to VULTe may be limited. We have provided an alternative channel, PolarisXperience:
“Please go to our website to onboard or use it as an existing user. You can also use this link: (https://elogin.polarisbanklimited.com).
“We regret any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Normal service will resume after the maintenance,” parts of the notice seen by Business Post read.
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