Heritage Bank Partners Generation Next Train 1,500 Pupils for Leadership Roles

By Bliss Okperan A lawmaker representing Kaura-Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Mr Aminu Sani Jaji, has raised alarm over the safety of children in schools in some parts of Northern Nigeria. The part of the country has witnessed kidnappings by terrorists and bandits, including in schools, leading to a low appetite for education over safety issues. While addressing newsmen in Abuja, he said, “These concerns intensify as incidents like the kidnapping of Federal University Gusau students follow purported dialogues, prompting public figures to call for a holistic approach to address the insecurity crisis decisively.” “Addressing the issue

By Modupe Gbadeyanka On Sunday, October 29, 2023, the race for the sharing of N12.5 million by the top 3 contestants of the fifth edition of the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition commenced. A total of 81 secondary school students are competing for the crown of the best Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students in Nigeria. The first prize winner will receive a whooping sum of N7.5 million worth of scholarships for five years, a laptop, and monthly stipends. The second-place winner will receive N4 million in scholarships for three years, a laptop, and monthly stipends, while the third-place winner

By Bliss Okperan The University of Osun State (UNIOSUN) has set a goal to achieve a spot in the 10 top universities in Nigeria by 2026. The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Clement Adebooye, while speaking on Friday at the main campus of the university in Osogbo, said the management also intends to make the school one of the 25 best in Africa in three years’ time. According to him, the management has begun to implement the strategies designed to meet this target, including providing a peaceful academic environment for students and others. He expressed the commitment of the

By Adedapo Adesanya A 400-year-old British educational institution, Charterhouse, has commissioned its first African school, currently in progress on a sprawling 70-hectare site located at Ogombo in Lekki, Lagos. The introduction of Charterhouse Lagos marks the convergence of British independent school heritage with cutting-edge educational practices, ushering in a new era of excellence in West African education. Charterhouse Lagos will represent a remarkable educational undertaking in the commercial capital of the country, with the planned $150 million campus expected to be fully delivered in 2028. The school’s development will unfold gradually, with the first intake of primary school students in

Let’s be honest, we do not adore those African traditional movies anymore. The ones where coronation ceremonies are held; where the king will be forced to drink one or two concoctions, perform some ritual rites and then finally sit on his throne and have people sing great songs to him. While some of us have stopped consuming that form of Nollywood entertainment, we forget that we live it every day. We want to become kings and masters at our workplaces, or in businesses we manage, we want to have those skills that make us “boss”. So, we perform the rites

By Dipo Olowookere Online Editor of Punch Newspaper, Mr John Abayomi, has threatened to sue popular Nigerian blogger, Ms Linda Ikeji, over a story published on her blog this week. The famous blogger had claimed that Mr Abayomi, a former Online Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, was the owner of the popular gossip blog, Instablog9ja, which has been a thorn in the flesh of many Nigerian celebrities. But reacting through his counsel, Falana and Falana’s Chambers, the seasoned journalist said there was no iota of truth in Ms Ikeji’s exclusive story. Mr Abayomi said since the story was published on the

By Dipo Olowookere Largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, QNB Group, was recognized once again as the most valuable banking brand in the region with brand value worth $4.2 billion, according to The Banker’s 2018 Brand Finance Global 500 report published in its February edition. QNB’s brand value has grown to $4.2 billion compared to $3.8 billion in 2017, an 11 percent year-on-year increase, while the Group’s Brand Strength Index (BSI) has increased from 76.4 out of 100 to 78.4 out of 100, driven by its constant strong financial performance and growing international expansion. QNB also marked

By Dipo Olowookere Erstwhile National Legal Adviser of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr Muiz Banire (SAN), has been appointed as Chairman of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). Mr Banire was appointed for the position by President Muhammadu Buhari; however, this is subject to confirmation by the Senate. In a letter to the upper chamber of the National Assembly yesterday, the President said the appointment of Mr Banire was, “In compliance with section 10(1) of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Act 2010.” Mr Buhari said, “It is my hope that the distinguished senate will consider and

A former Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa has been kept in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Mr Udenwa was rearrested on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, by the anti-graft agency in connection with an alleged N350 million fraud. The former Governor allegedly embezzled the money during the last presidential election. Mr Udenwa, as the State Co-ordinator for The Presidential Campaign Organisation in Imo State, allegedly collected the money from the former senator representing Kaduna South and Director of Finance for the PDP presidential campaign organisation, Nenadi Usman. The suspect, in his statement to the Commission

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Victims of the ethnic clash at the Shasha Market in Ibadan, Oyo State have been promised compensation by Governor Seyi Makinde. The Governor was at the community on Sunday to have talks with the warring groups as well as their leaders. He was accompanied by his Ondo State counterpart, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, who was there on behalf of the South West Governors. During the visit, Mr Makinde appealed for calm and peaceful coexistence between the Hausa community and their Yoruba hosts, urging them not to take laws into their hands. “Please, I want you to listen to

By Modupe Gbadeyanka If fuel retailers intend to survive and remain in business in the future, they must begin to make plans to modernise their service stations to support electric vehicles, supply biofuel as well as capitalize on their real estate, and zero in on sustainable practices. In a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a leading global management consulting firm, it was disclosed that only those who heed this suggestion may continue to operate in the fast-emerging landscape. The fuel industry has long been facing disruptive forces, and these have only accelerated since the beginning of the COVID-19

By Adedapo Adesanya The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday, January 24, announced a rise in the basis points of the Cash Reserve Ratio by 500 basis points from 22.5 percent to 27.5 percent. The apex bank, at the end of its first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Friday in Abuja, however, disclosed that it was keeping other parameters constant, with the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 13.5 percent. The CBN also left the Liquidity Ratio (LR) steady at 30 percent and the Assymetric Corridor around the MPR at +200/-500 basis points.